Cassius Mailula’s strike was all Mamelodi Sundowns needed to beat 10-man Al- Hilal in their first outing in the Group stage of the 2022\/23 CAF Champions League this Saturday.<\/p>\n
The left Pretoria empty handed after a game they finished with ten men following the sending off of defender Altayeb Abaker for a second bookable offense minutes before the end.<\/p>\n
Rulani Mokoena named a completely changed side from their last league outing, bringing in the established first team players and earned the reward against a tough opponent.<\/p>\n
The Brazilians scored midway into the first-half of the game at Loftus Versfeld Stadium and held on to the end.<\/p>\n
Incoming Ronwen Williams in goal for Downs made the first save of the game barely nine minutes after the start.<\/p>\n
The South Africans took control of the game and created a number of chances through which Neo Maema and Peter Shalulile came close but poor finishing was their undoing.<\/p>\n
A good run from deep in midfield was completed by a shot from Sphelele Mkhulise which was poorly dealt with by Ali Aboeshren. The keeper played the ball directly into the path of Cassius Mailula who made it 1-0.<\/p>\n
Peter Shalulile was very close to making it 2-0 when he found space and time to turn in the box after receiving the ball. Unfortunately his shot was well read and saved by Ali of Al Hilal.<\/p>\n
Sundowns put the ball in the back of the net two minutes after the restart, but the goal was chalked off though replays suggested it should have stood.<\/p>\n
Shalulile came close to making it 2-0 after Maema picked him with a fine cross but he failed to sort his feet in time, allowing Ali to gather.<\/p>\n
Coach Florent Ibenge’s Al Hilal pushed to get the equalizer in the last quarter but all efforts proved abortive, instead Altayeb Abaker in the 87th minute.<\/p>\n
Downs fans celebrated in the end as their side recorded a first win in Group C ahead of their next assignment away to Cotonsport next Friday in Garoua.<\/p>\n
Cotonsport and Al Ahly complete the group. Both didn’t honor their own match day one fixture because the Egyptians are in Morocco for the club World Cup.<\/p>\n
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