Angolan club Wiliete SC knocked out Mamelodi Sundowns on away goals to reach the CAF Champions League group stage for the first time, led by their striker Agostinho Cristóvão Paciência Mabululu.
Wiliete SC, a club from Benguela, booked their place in the CAF Champions League group stage by seeing off Mamelodi Sundowns, according to Africa Top Sports. The elimination is a major shock: the Pretoria club, semi-finalists in each of the last two editions, are out of the competition at the second preliminary round.
The South African side had won the first leg in Luanda, only to fall short in the return leg in South Africa. The tie was ultimately decided by the away goals rule, which sends the Angolans into the group stage for the first time in their history.
Mabululu, the decisive card
Across the two legs, Angola international striker Agostinho Cristóvão Paciência Mabululu proved decisive, according to the same source.
Wiliete SC coach Beto Bianchi won his tactical gamble by exploiting the defensive weaknesses of the “Brazilians of Pretoria”.
“This is a huge shock in the CAF Champions League. Mamelodi Sundowns have been knocked out at the second preliminary round by Wiliete SC,” writes Africa Top Sports. On the other side, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi sees his team exit the competition.
Sundowns, the run comes to a halt
For Mamelodi Sundowns, it is a major setback after reaching the semi-finals in each of the last two editions. The Pretoria club suffer their first elimination before the group stage in more than five seasons, Africa Top Sports points out.
So the continental heavyweight leaves the stage before the groups, while a club from Benguela takes their place for the first time. For the city of Benguela, it is a historic qualification.
On to the draw
Attention now turns to the draw for the 2026-2027 CAF Champions League group stage, expected in the coming weeks according to CAF. It will determine Wiliete SC’s group, as they discover the group stage of the continent’s most prestigious club competition.
Mabululu and his teammates will learn their opponents at that draw.