Mamelodi Sundowns' CAF Champions League group stage campaign started off with a crucial victory at home, but the weekend ended off on a low note.
Solid start for Sundowns in the CAF Champions League group stages
The 2016 champions got their campaign off to a flyer, with a solid 2-0 win over Sudanese club Al Hilal at Loftus Verseld over the weekend. Defender Mosa Lebusa gave Sundowns the lead going into the break and Kermit Erasmus wrapped up the victory with a late goal to make it 2-0. Sundowns had seven shots on target in the game and would probably have loved to score more, after coach Manqoba Mngqithi recently spoke about how they need to find the back of the net more.
Top of the table
In the other group B game, five-time champions TP Mazembe were held to a goalless draw by CR Belouizdad of Algeria at Stade TP Mazembe on Saturday. Mazembe, who have won the competition five times, were seen as favourites heading to this clash, but could not make use of home ground advantage. It means Sundowns were the only team in the group to register a win and are the early pacesetters at the top of the standings. Sundowns were one of only four sides in all the groups to win this past weekend. Other winners in the Champions League group stages this past weekend week Esperance, Simba and Horoya.
To read Sundowns’ full match report, click here
Sundowns receive charge from the PSL
The defending Premiership champions confirmed that they have received a charge from the Premier Soccer League for bringing the league into disrepute. The hearing will take place on Monday, February 15, after there was a complaint that Sundowns and Stellenbosch delayed their Nedbank Cup last 32 clash two weeks ago. In the 16th minute of the game played at Loftus Versfeld, both sides paused play to clap hands in honour of the late Anele Ngcongca, who wore the jersey number 16. Ngcongca died in a car accident late year.
According to the PSL, the clubs breached Rule 55 of the NSL handbook as there was no permission given to the sides to pause play for a minute.
New boys get taste of group stage action
Some of Sundowns' recruits from the last transfer window got their first taste of Champions League group stage action. Lesedi Kapinga, Peter Shalulile and Mothobi Mvala got to play at this stage of the competition for the first time in their careers and this will no doubt benefit them and their careers, considering the opposition is much stronger. There was no debut for recently signed Rushine De Reuck, but he was in the match day squad for the first time since joining Sundowns.
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