Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a goalless draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo side, AS Maniema Union in the Group B opener of the CAF Champions League on Tuesday night at Loftus Versfeld.
The team looked freshened up, with coach Manqoba Mngqithi making six changes to his previous starting squad, introducing Malibongwe Khoza, Thapelo Morena, Kobamelo Kodisang, Erwin Saavedra, Divine Lunga and Arthur Sales.
The hosts wanted to assert their dominance very early in the encounter as they threatened to break the deadlock through Lucas Ribeiro’s curling effort, but the visiting goalkeeper was forced to make a save. Marcelo Allende also looked to open the scoring through a volley inside the box, but his effort rolled a few inches wide.
Masandawana had only intentions to score, not giving Maniema Union a chance to take the ball to Ronwen Williams’s half. Just a few minutes into the half-hour mark, Teboho Mokoena came close after he fired a shot from a set-piece that was tipped over the crossbar by the goalie. Despite the many clear-cut chances created by the home side, the two teams went to the break deadlocked at 0-0.
Sales had a big chance in the early minutes of the second stanza but his effort hit the Maniema Union wall from range, after he was set up beautifully by Allende.
The DRC-based side began to gain confidence and pulled some threatening chances that had the supporters on the edge of their seats. From a corner kick, the visitors almost took the lead after the ball was received in the farpost. The effort, however, hit the crossbar to keep the score at 0-0.
With resilience, Bafana Ba Style continued to look for a goal but Maniema Union tightened the defense to ensure no goal goes past them, although Allende managed to almost turn things around for his side with a shot that touched the crossbar before the full-time whistle. Both sides put up a fight especially in the closing stages of the match but nothing separated them, as the match ended goalless.
How we lined up: Williams ©, Khoza, Mokoena, Kekana, Lunga, Morena, Kodisang, Saavedra, Allende, Sales, Ribeiro.
Subs: Onyango, Modiba, Maema, Aubaas, Mkhulise, Mudau, Maseko, Mvala, Shalulile.
SOURCED FROM THE CLB’S WEBSITE.
