Held to a 0-0 draw by Wiliete SC in Lubango in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round, Mamelodi Sundowns lost midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was stretchered off in the 40th minute.
The continental title holders could not find a way through on the pitch at the Estádio Nacional da Tundavala in Lubango. Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 0-0 draw by Angolan club Wiliete SC in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round, reports Goal.com South Africa. Kick-off had already been delayed by thirty minutes because of bad weather and the risk of lightning.
The evening was above all marked by Teboho Mokoena’s exit. The South African midfielder was injured and carried off on a stretcher in the 40th minute of play, according to the same source. The nature and severity of his injury have not been disclosed; no length of absence can be suggested at this stage.
Aubaas on before the break
Miguel Cardoso, Sundowns’ head coach, brought on midfielder Bathusi Aubaas in place of Mokoena just before half-time, reports Soccer Laduma. The change came in a match in which the South Africans already had to cope with other absences.
The technical staff were without usual first-choice goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and Aubrey Modiba, both left out of the squad, again according to Soccer Laduma. Ricardo Goss was handed a start in goal by the coach.
Goss in goal, Rayners close to the frame
On the pitch, the contest remained tight. Striker Brayan León saw a shot cleared off the line by the Angolan defence in the first half. In the 25th minute, Tashreeq Matthews let fly with a powerful strike that Wiliete goalkeeper Elber pushed away, according to Soccer Laduma.
Sundowns chased a winner until the end without finding one. In the 89th minute, striker Iqraam Rayners missed a clear chance, his right-footed shot skimming the frame, reports VAVEL. The South African club, defending the continental title it won in the previous edition against AS FAR (2-1 on aggregate), went into the match in good form after lifting the MTN8 trophy the previous week.
Back to Loftus Versfeld
It will all be decided in the return leg. The second leg of the second preliminary round is scheduled for 23 October 2026 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Until then, Teboho Mokoena’s condition remains to be clarified, while Sundowns must already cope without Williams and Modiba.