South African Premier League Champions Mamelodi Sundowns are on the verge of a shock Champions League group stage exit after losing 1-0 to minnows Togo Port at the Stade General Eyadema.
The former CAF Champions League winners have shockingly dropped to the bottom of Group C with two points having drawn the opening two matches against Wydad Casablanca and Horoya AC.
The Brazilians showed little urgency and were very wasteful both in possession and in front of goal, something that hurt them in the end. Hosts Togo Port used the bumpy artificial turf to their advantage against the opponents who struggled to adapt.
The Togolese side who have struggled in defence were desperate for a victory having lost the opening two games but were determined to stop the South African heavy weights.
Things didn’t go as planned for the Lome-based side in the first half forcing them to dig deep to contain Sundowns relentless attacks. Shots from Morena, Oupa Manyisa Tobego Langerman before the half hour mark called the keeper into action.
Openings for the Sundowns kept coming but luckily for the hosts, they kept on missing. The Togolese made them pay for their lack of efficiency in the 40th minute when A. A. Hunlede beat the offside trap to fire in a shot past Denis Onyango.
Mamelodi tried to switch tactics at the beginning of the second half by bringing in a more offensive minded Thokozani Sekotlong for Captain Kekana which almost paid off immediately.
He got the first chance in the second half but took a second too long to decide where to bury the shot. Goal keeper Jean-Rober Klomegan reacted fast to once again deny the Tswane outfit another glorious scoring opportunity.
Even with the numerous chances, Sundowns failed to break through and suffered their first loss in this year’s CAF Champions League.
Defeats from West African sides continue to haunt Sundowns despite their impressive history in African football. In their 109 previous CAF club appearances over the years, they have never tasted a victory in West Africa.
This game will definitely be a turning point for Togo Port who had continuously flattered on continental level.
They were without their two key defenders, Issifou Bourahana who was suspended for the clash and Hakim Ouro-Sama who joined league 1 outfit Lille but used their home ground advantage to the fullest. They continue an impressive run of wins at home having last lost a competitive game in November 2017.
On the other hand, Sundowns next fixture will be against Togo Port at home on 27th June, a fixture they must win to keep their stuttering champions league hopes alive.
