CAF Champions League
Result: ASEC Mimosas 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 12 February 2019
Venue: Stade Felix Houphouët-Boigny
It was not the best of days for South African clubs on the continent as Mamelodi Sundowns could only secure a point away to ASEC Mimosas.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane made only two changes from their last encounter, as Wayne Arendse and Anele Ngcongca were drafted into the defence.
ASEC dominated proceedings in the early stages, but it was the Brazilians who carved out the first meaningful chance when Thapelo Morena went through on goal after being picked out by Themba Zwane before firing over the crossbar.
Patrick Malo came the closest to breaking the deadlock for the hosts on the half-hour mark with a glancing header at the back post that sailed slightly wide as the Downs defence went to sleep.
Mosimane's men grew confident in the closing stages of the half, but they were unable to carve out chances as ASEC goalkeeper Abdoul Cisse did not have a single save to make.
Emiliano Tade came on for Gaston Sirino and Tade at the start of the second half, and he made carved out a n opening three minutes before the hour after playing Themba Zwane through, but the latter could fire over the crossbar from close range.
Amani Yao Cèsar's troops came close to finding the breakthrough in the 64th minute as Ahmed Toure's free header was smothered by Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango, which was also the hosts' first effort on target.
Mosimane made his second change 11 minutes before time as Phakamani Mahlambi replaced Morena as the Brazilians looked to snatch a late winner.
However, neither side could carve out a meaningful chance in the latter stages of the half and were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.
As a result, Sundowns top the group temporarily with seven points, while ASEC remain third with four points.
Here's how they lined up:
Sundowns: Onyango, Ngcongca, Arendse, Nascimento, Lakay, Kekana, Mabunda, Zwane (Coetzee 90+2'), Maboe, Morena, Sirino (Tade 46').
Subs: Mweene, Langerman, Jali, Tade, Mahlambi, Coetzee, Laffor.
