Mamelodi Sundowns suffer shock CAF Champions League elimination as Wiliete SC progress on away goals

After being held to a goalless draw away from home last week, the Brazilians were held to a 1-1 stalemate at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.

Tashreeq Matthews had given Sundowns an 11th-minute lead, and despite Miguel Cardoso's side dominating much of the tie, they found themselves pegged back by a Mabululu goal just four minutes into the second half.

A score draw was always going to be enough for Wiliete, who held on for a famous win as the competition holders suffered a shock exit from the competition.

Sundowns had attacked from the first whistle and immediately won a succession of corners. 

Wiliete though posed an early threat after a long ball forward from returning goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was cut out in midfield, and only a sliding tackle from Bathusi Aubaas stopped what looked like a certain goal for Miguel Vieira.

Mailila then forced another corner at the other end after his shot on the turn was deflected wide.

The early pressure from Sundowns was relentless, and a fifth-minute corner was powerfully headed over the bar by Thabang Mataludi.

A Mataludi shot in the ninth minute went wide after he cut in from the right flank, while Jandersen Maia lashed his effort well wide after Wiliete broke forward at the other end.

But, Sundowns' superiority soon told as they took the lead after just 11 minutes, albeit with the help of a significant deflection. An unmarked Matthews saw his shot strike the back of Arao Lologi to leave goalkeeper Elber Delgado with no chance.

Sundowns appealed for a penalty for handball after a Matthews corner in the 19th minute, but the referee waved play on.

Brayan Leon might have done better with a header that he directed wide from a good Nuno Santos delivery in the 23rd minute.

Delgado then made a strong save to deny Aubrey Modiba before Leon was unable to connect with the loose ball as he stretched for the rebound.

Williams produced a sublime save at the other end, sticking out a boot to prevent Vieira from heading home an equaliser after connecting with a deep cross from Camilo Mbule.

Matthews came close to grabbing a second goal in the 29th minute, but Santos' ball through the middle was just an inch ahead of the advancing Sundowns attacker as he raced towards goal.

Wiliete were struggling to retain possession, while presenting Sundowns with a number of chances to extend their lead.

However, with the visitors showing a little more attacking intent as the half drew to a close, they managed to stifle their opponents and head down the tunnel with just one goal separating the two sides.

The second half started in similar fashion, with Sundowns seemingly in control of the tie. But a misplaced pass from Mailula allowed Mabululu to pick up the loose ball and surge forward before curling a right-footed effort beyond an advancing Williams.

Sundowns had an immediate opportunity to regain the lead, but Delgado kept out a close-range header from Marcelo Allende.

Leon was unable to connect with a Mataludi ball into the box as Sundowns pressed forward, while Gilberto snatched at his shot as Wiliete broke forward quickly at the other end.

Leon had the ball in the back of the net in the 54th minute, but the whistle had already been blown for a foul by the striker on his defensive counterpart, Antonio Chitonga.

Wiliete were putting their bodies on the line to maintain the status quo, with Sundowns probing ever harder to find a vital goal.

Aubaas and Allende combined to set up Leon with an hour played, but he blazed his effort over despite having time and space to pick his shot.

Siyanda Ndlovu was introduced for Cassius Mailula soon afterwards, and Delgado then produced a superb double save to deny Leon on the volley and Matthews from close range on the rebound.

A snapshot from Ndlovu was comfortably held by the busy Wiliete goalkeeper before Sundowns made a double substitution, with Antonio van Wyk and Morena coming on for Aubrey Modiba and Mataludi with 20 minutes remaining and a goal desperately needed.

Carlos Cassissi replaced the injured Mabululu with 13 minutes remaining for the visitors.

Leon then had his head in his hands after directing a close-range header from another excellent Santos delivery just past the right-hand post, with Delgado beaten.

Arthur Zwane and Iqraam Rayners came on for Matthews and Aubaas with 10 minutes to play, as Sundowns' Champions League dreams hung in the balance.

The play was almost entirely concentrated in the visitors' half as Sundowns searched for a way through the Wiliete defence, but they struggled to produce a decisive final touch.

Delgado was grateful to get his body behind a well-struck Leon shot in the 86th minute following another probing passage of play.

Rayners, meanwhile, was unable to connect with an overhit Leon pass as time ticked away.

Try as they might, Sundowns simply could not find a way through, as the Brazilians bowed out of the CAF Champions League without reaching the group stages for the first time in over a decade.