Petro de Luanda secured a 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in Luanda on Saturday, in the first leg of their 2021/2022 CAF Champions League quarterfinal tie.
Goals from Tiago Azulao and Yano in the first half proved enough to hand the Angolan the win, but Rulani Mokwena’s men scored a crucial away goal before hosting their opponents in Johannesburg.
There was an early chance for the hosts when a cross from Pedro Miguel found Tiago in the six-yard box, but his diving header was off target.
The opener arrived for Sundowns in the sixth minute when Lyle Lakay opened the scoring with a free-kick from distance that deflected into the bottom corner.
Lakay’s set-piece ability threatened again as he sent a corner kick towards Peter Shalulile, but his headed effort went just wide of the post.
However, Petro’s Brazilian striker Tiago Azulao dodged a challenge in the centre of the area in the 16th minute to side-footed a teasing cross past a stretching Denis Onyango.
Petro were playing good football and through that they made their way into the Sundowns box where Yano fired home from close range after Onyango had kept out Azulao’s flick at the near post.
Gaston Sirino did good work after the break to beat three defenders and get into the box, but his effort was disappointing, sending it straight at the goalkeeper.
Shalulile was granted an opportunity to bring Sundowns to level terms after a Lebohang Maboe cross but the winger saw his tame effort saved.
William Soares was pulling the strings in the middle and threatened to extend Petro’s lead after twisting and turning his way out of trouble before firing his shot just wide of goal.
Petro were pinned back for a while as Mamelodi Sundowns searched for the equalizer but Maema’s curler outside the area was denied by Video Assistant Referee following a foul in the build-up.
The ticket for the final remains completely up for grabs as today’s narrow winners are now facing a highly tricky trip to South Africa.
The return leg will kick off at FNB Stadium at16h00 GMT on Saturday 23 April 2022.
