Tashreeq Matthews opened the scoring, but Mamelodi Sundowns, the holders, could not get past a 1-1 draw against Wiliete SC, who eliminate them on away goals after a 0-0 in Angola. Pretoria miss the group stage for the first time since 2015.
The holders were held to a 1-1 draw at home at Loftus Versfeld Stadium by Angola’s Wiliete SC on Saturday 24 October. After the 0-0 in the first leg in Angola, the Pretoria side are eliminated on the away goals rule, according to CAF Online, and exit the CAF Champions League.
Striker Tashreeq Matthews had nonetheless set them on their way as early as the 11th minute, with a left-footed strike deflected by an opposing defender. But the advantage melted away after the break, and head coach Miguel Cardoso’s team did not score again.
Mabululu cools Pretoria
The turning point came early in the second half. Mabululu, a Wiliete SC striker, equalised after the break, as reported by Flashscore. The Angolan club only had to hold on, with the away goals rule in their favour.
Late in the game, a goal by Sundowns’ Colombian striker Brayan León was disallowed. The club had recently extended Miguel Cardoso’s contract until 2028, according to Flashscore, but elimination remains the only result that counts on the continental stage.
Mokoena, the costly absence
For this knockout match, Mamelodi Sundowns had to make do without key midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was injured, as Goal recalls.
For their part, Wiliete SC claim a historic qualification: it is their very first appearance in the group stage of the African Champions League, according to CAF Online.
The spectre of 2015
This exit echoes a precedent. In 2015, Mamelodi Sundowns had already been eliminated at the same stage of the competition by TP Mazembe, The Citizen notes.
The group stage draw is scheduled for November 2026, and Sundowns will watch the event without being part of it. The calendar offers no respite: the club must regroup for the CAF Super Cup, scheduled for 8 November 2026 in Johannesburg against USM Alger.