Mamelodi Sundowns have qualified for the African Football League semi-finals after overcoming Petro de Luanda and their opponents have already been confirmed .
African Football League
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 0-0 Petro de Luanda (2-0 on aggregate)
Date: 24 October 2023
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Thapelo Maseko earned a re-call to the Sundowns starting line-up after scoring in the first leg in Angola on Saturday, while Junior Mendieta dropped to the bench as one of two changes as Gaston Sirino was also given a start.
The Brazilians did not get off to the perfect start as defender Mothobi Mvala was given an early shower after being shown a straight red card after just three minutes for bringing down Tiago Azulão, who was through on goal.
Despite going a man down, the Brazilians continued to push forward and went close to finding the opener through Sirino who saw his strike saved at the near post.
The Angolans, meanwhile, were finding it tough to find the back of the net in the first half as Tiago squandered a couple chances int he box while Rivaldo Coetzee also popped up with a vital block to keep out a goal-bound strike.
Petro came out firing in the second half as they aim redcue the aggregate score but Sundowns were well drilled defensively despite the numerical disadvantage.
The home side could have put the game beyond Petro's reach when Themba Zwane managed to break free on goal to go one-on-one with Hugo Marques, who came out on top with a good save.
That proved to Zwane's last involvement, as the Sundowns captain along with Sirino made way for Lesiba Nku and Junior Mendieta for the final 20 minutes of the second half.
The Brazilians frustrated Petro for the remainder of the second half, with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams barely needed to make a serious save as they held on for the clean sheet.
Sundowns advance to the last four with a 2-0 aggregate win and will now face African champions Al Ahly this weekend.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mvala, Coetzee, Boutouil, Mudau, Mokoena, Modiba, Allende, Zwane, Sirino, Maseko
Subs: D.Onyango, Lebusa, D.Onyango, Nku, Zungu, Mashego, Mendieta, Kekana, Mkhulise, Mabena, Maema, Maboe
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments
