Soccer Laduma is giving you a chance to rate Mamelodi Sundowns players in their second leg CAF Champions League match against Pyramids FC of Egypt on Sunday evening. The Chloorkop-based side suffered a 2-1 loss, following their one-all draw in the first leg in Tshwane two weeks ago. Pyramids were crowned continental champions following their 3-2 aggregate win.
Coach Miguel Cardoso’s side started like a team that needed to bounce back, as they needed to score an early goal and take the game to their hosts, but that tempo disappeared halfway through the first half. A defensive mistake from Grant Kekana, who seemed to be in two minds about whether to clear his line or pass the ball to a teammate, resulted in Fiston Mayele taking full advantage and beating Ronwen Williams in the far bottom corner to take the lead.
Ka Bo Yellow had their backs against the wall but continued to probe as they were looking to equalise and possibly get a winner. However, things took a turn for the worst as they conceded a second goal from a set-piece, with Ahmed Samy left unmarked and converting from a free header inside the six-meter box, beating Williams hands-down!
The Egyptians continued to manage the game, with the clock ticking but it was the visitors who almost found the back of the net when Lucas Ribeiro Costa set Tashreeq Matthews one-on-one with the goalkeeper to beat, only for the Downs attacker to have his shot saved. Eventually, the Brazilians found the back of the net with Iqraam Rayners netting in the 75th minute. With 15 minutes of regulation time to go, Downs went all out in search of the winning goal, but it was just not to be.
How they lined up:
Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Grant Kekana, Mosa Lebusa, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena, Marcelo Allende, Jayden Adams, Tashreeq Matthews, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Iqraam Rayners.
