CAF Champions League
Result Wydad Casablanca 1-0 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 17 August 2018
Venue: Stade Mohamed V
Mamelodi Sundowns dropped to third spot in Group C in the CAF Champions League after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Wydad Casablanca. With Horya FC beating AS Togo-Port in the earlier encounter, the Brazilians need to get a favourable result in Morocco to strengthen their hopes advancing. Off-season signing Andile Jali returned to the line-up, while there was also a rare start for Anthony Laffor in the attack.Sundowns certainly held their own in the early stages of the encounter, with Laffor firing over the crossbar inside the opening stages.
Denis Onyango missed the last two matches with a head injury but was restored to the side, and he was called upon in the 31st minute to deny the home side the opener with a good save.
Sundowns had Motjeka Madisha to thank for keeping the visitors at bay, with the defender pulling off a couple of interceptions in the opening 45 minutes.
The hosts dominated for most of the encounter, and they eventually broke the deadlock on 56 minutes, with Anas El Asbahi rifling a long range effort past Onyango. Mosimane responded by throwing on Jose Ali Meza and Lebohang Maboe as the visitors went in search for a much-needed equaliser. As time went on, Sundowns were growing increasingly frustrated as Wydad's attempts to slow down the game with substitutions disrupted the flow of the encounter. Despite Sundowns' late push for an equaliser, the defending champions hung on earn to three points to qualify for the next round while Sundowns will need to beat Horoya in the next match. Here's how they lined up: Sundowns: 14. Onyango, 4. Langerman, 16. Nascimento, 20. Ngcongca, 23. Madisha, 8. Kekana, 15. Jali, 5. Sirino, 18. Zwane, 28. Laffor, 11. Vilakazi. Subs: 1. Mweene, 2. Maboe, 6. Arendse, 10. Meza, 13. Mabunda, 19. Brockie, 24. Zulu.
