Petro du Luanda qualified to 2021/2022 CAF Champions League semifinal on Saturday after playing to a 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns in the return leg of their semifinals tie.
The one-all stalemate on the back of last week’s 2-1 win has given Petro the green light into the semifinal of Africa’s premier club competition. They will play the winner of the Wydad – CR Belouizdad quarterfinal.
Mamelodi Sundowns started the brighter of the two teams and fashioned the first chance on goal in the fifth minute when Peter Shalulile got onto the end of a right-wing free-kick cross from Thapelo Morema, but he touched it wide from a couple of yards out.
Chances after that were few and far between with the next effort on goal only coming in the 20th minute when Petro’s Tiago Leal shot from the edge of the box was well-saved by the keeper.
Five minutes later Lebohang Maboe flashed an effort inches wide of the post from roughly 18-yards out.
On the half hour mark Rushine de Reuck fired a 22-yard free-kick disappointingly wide of the target.
Peter Shalulile had another long range effort on goal in the 39th minute, but his direction was poor once again as his shot sailed wide.
Sundowns were awarded a penalty at on the stroke of halftime after the referee consulted VAR, but Arthur Zwane scooped the effort against the upright.
The half ended 0-0.
Petro started positively again after the break when Jaredi Teixeira broke down the flank in the 46th minute, but his cross was headed over the target by Adriano Nicolau.
Shalulile, who was Masandawana’s main threat every time his team was in attack, had another attempt at goal, which Waellington Gomes managed to deal with.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 49th minute with a Brian Onyango tap from a well taken Lyle Lakay’s freekick that had been spilled by Gomes.
Petro struggled to get things going in the middle of the park and were often let down by poor decision-making in the final third.
Petro did level matters from the spot on the 64th minute after Tiago Azulao converted a penalty that was awarded following VAR review.
The Angolans dominated proceedings after the equaliser and should have taken the lead in the 74th minute but Miguel miscued his effort from three-yards out with the goal at his mercy.
Petro withstood constant pressure from Sundowns in the dying stages of the clash, as the Angolan giants successfully booked their place in the semifinals.
