Mamelodi Sundowns held to goalless draw by Wiliete in Champions League tie

Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 0-0 draw by an energetic Wiliete SC in the first leg of their Caf Champions League second preliminary round tie in Angola.

The South African champions created opportunities but could not find a way past Wiliete goalkeeper Elber Binha, leaving the tie finely balanced before Friday’s return match at Loftus Versfeld.

Kick-off at Estadio Nacional Tundavala in Lubango was delayed by 30 minutes, from 5pm to 5.30pm, because of lightning near the stadium.

Wiliete were determined to put Sundowns under pressure after travelling from coastal Benguela, a city with a population of 550,000 and the eighth-biggest in Angola. The club have steadily grown since replacing Benfica do Lubango in the Girabola in 2019.

They finished second in the 2024-25 campaign to qualify for the Champions League for the first time. Wiliete were runners-up again last season and have begun the current Girabola season unbeaten at the top of the table.

Their home stadium did not meet Confederation of African Football standards, forcing the club to play 355km from Benguela in Lubango. They had reached the second preliminary round after beating Seychelles side Foresters 5-0 on aggregate.

Sundowns had to withstand Wiliete’s physical intensity early on, while the visitors relied on their familiar passing game to create openings. Tashreeq Matthews and Teboho Mokoena both tested Binha during the first half.

Mokoena, who had returned to club action two matches earlier after suffering an injury while on international duty with Bafana Bafana, was forced off again in the 40th minute. Bathusi Aubaas replaced him two minutes later.

Sundowns were also without several experienced players. Goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams and left-back Aubrey Modiba were among the shorter-term absentees, while right-back Khuliso Mudau and centre-backs Grant Kekana and Keanu Cupido were facing longer spells out.

Wiliete continued to threaten after the break, using their wingers to run at and stretch the Pretoria side. Thapelo Morena made progress through the middle in the 66th minute before setting up Matthews on the left, but Binha saved his effort.

Wiliete also went close when Mabululu met a bouncing ball into the area with a header that forced Ricardo Goss to dive to his left. Gilberto then burst past Ndamane and into the box, where Goss came off his line to block at the winger’s feet.

Wiliete’s Brazilian coach Beto Bianchi responded with three substitutions, including forwards Merdi Kafuti and Ning.

Neither side could break the deadlock, and both appeared content to settle for a draw by the final stages.

Sundowns will host the second leg at Loftus Versfeld on Friday at 8pm, with a place in the Champions League group stage at stake.

In the Caf Confederation Cup, Durban City strengthened their prospects of reaching the group stage with a 3-1 victory over Port Louis of Mauritius at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday.