LATE PENALTY SINKS UNDER-STRENGTH DOWNS
Clumsy foul with virtually last kick of match hands Esperance win
Kinshasa.
Tau was the runner we have all come to know this season, but his combination with Leonardo Castro and Vilakazi still needs work. Castro, especially, has not been himself with injury and regular trips to his native country Colombia, where he recently had to escort his pregnant wife to give birth.
While Sundowns definitely have the depth to deal with injuries and suspension to counter their gruelling schedule, it’s when all their key players are sidelined at the same time that Mosimane’s life becomes a bit complex.
To add to their woes, Sundowns also had to do without young Motjeka Madisha when the defender pulled out injured and made way for Soumahoro, who is fresh off the injury list himself and ended up costing them the game.
The first 45 minutes had felt like a Champions League fixture one would have expected it to be – an early goal, an equaliser and some aggressive challenges dished out by both sides. But the second half was very much subdued, especially from a Sundowns point of view as the home side, who have are still yet to win any of their group stages fixtures at home. With Esperance seemingly content with a point on the road, the Brazilians just didn’t have the firepower to force a goal that would tilt the game in their favour.
Bangaly’s tackle in the box was even more painful to swallow considering Esperance didn’t look threatening enough to win the game at that point. It now looks like they will have to dig a lot deeper to win this group, but might still do enough to finish as runners-up to make the quarter-finals, although tomorrow’s fixture between Saint George and Vita, the other two teams in Group C, will put pressure on the reigning champions should Saint George win. @superjourno