CAF Champions League
Result: Togo-Port 1-0 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 17 July 2018
Venue: Stade Agoè-Nyivé
Mamelodi Sundowns have dropped to the bottom of Group C in the CAF Champions League after losing 1-0 to AS Togo-Port on Tuesday afternoon.
Sundowns had some catching up to do after drawing their opening two encounters in Group C. It was a promising start for Pitso Mosimane's side with the first opportunity falling to Thapelo Morena, although Yakubu did well to thwart the attacker.
Good work from Sibusiso Vilakazi, who ran onto a long ball and despite the presence of the on-rushing goalkeeper, still managed to pick out Morena who narrowly missed the target.
Midway through the half, the hosts were handed the best chance to go ahead after Yacoubou was left free on the right and landed onto a loose ball, fortunately for Downs the danger was thwarted by Denis Onyango.
The Brazilians first piece of action found Oupa Manyisa but he was unable to put away a delivery from Hlompho Kekana just before the half and hour mark.
The openings were coming more abundantly for Downs and a surge down the left by Tebogo Langerman allowed him to get behind the defence and fire a shot that went wide.
The Togolese side made Sundowns pay for their lack of efficiency as Hunlede beat the offside trap to riffle past Onyango after 40 minutes for a halftime lead.
The Tshwane outfit made a surprise move at the start of the second half, substituting captain Kekana for Thokozani Sekotlong but it almost paid off after the latter got on the end of the first chance in the second half.
For some reason or the other though, Sekotlong's indecisiveness to bury the golden opportunity off a delightful pass from Oupa Manyisa haunted them further.
A good save from Jean-Rober Klomegan prevented debutant Andile Jali from scoring his first in sterling fashion following a long range shot after being set-up by Vilakazi.
Out of nowhere, a lull appeared on Downs' offensive stride as the next piece of attacking fortitude arrived on 73 minutes as Vilakazi failed to steer home from close range after a through ball.
At the end of it all, Sundowns failed to break through and suffered their first loss in the group stages whilst Lome who had chances to increase their tally, revived their campaign with their first win.
Here's how they lined up:
Sundowns XI: 14. Onyango, 4. Langerman, 6. Arendse, 16. Nascimento, 20. Ngcongca, 13. Morena, 8. Kekana, 7. Manyisa, 18. Zwane, 15. Jali, 11. Vilakazi.
Subs: 12. Sekotlong, 19. Brockie, 23. Madisha, 24. Zulu, 25. Ngoma, 28. Laffor, 30. Brimah.
