Petro de Luanda sink Mamelodi Sundowns in Angola

Mamelodi Sundowns were forced to endure a 2-1 defeat by Petro de Luanda in the first leg of their Caf Champions League quarter-final at the Estadio 11 de Novembro on Saturday night.

The Brazilians got off to the perfect start when Lyle Lakay broke the deadlock after his free kick was deflected before finding the bottom corner.

The home side managed to level matters 10 minutes later when Tiago Azulao showed composure to find the back of the net with a first-time finish.

Sundowns should’ve restored their lead in the 34th minute when Themba Zwane beat the goalkeeper, but only to find the upright before Peter Shalulile failed to slot the ball home from the rebound.

Petro managed to take the lead and complete the turnaround in stoppage time when Yano found the back of the net from close range as the game went into half time.

Sundowns had a chance to level matters early in the second half when he forced the keeper into making a save to deny the striker’s header after receiving a cross from Lakay’s free kick.

Shalulile had another chance in the 54th minute to draw the game level but the Namibian fired his effort over the crossbar inside the box.

Sundowns opted to bring on fresh legs in the 64th minute in a double substitution, replacing Sirino and Morena with Lebohang Maboe and Neo Maema.

The referee called on the video assistant referee (VAR) to check for a penalty against Brian Onyango in the 74h minute, but play resumed after the check was completed.

Sundowns had the ball in the back of the net a minute later but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The Brazilians then brought on Pavol Šafranko in place of Mudau in the 78th minute before substituting Mothobi Mvala and Kermit Erasmus for Zwane and Mokoena five minutes later.

Neo Maema thought he had levelled matters in stoppage time with a superb strike to find the top corner, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR check.

Sundowns pressed forward in the dying stages but were unable to find the equalising goal as Petro held on to walk away with the win on home soil.