Sundowns fail to hold on
MAMELODI Sundowns frustrated AS Vita for most of their Caf Champions League clash, but the Congolese club had the last laugh with a 1-0 win in Kinshasa yesterday.
MAMELODI Sundowns frustrated AS Vita for most of their Caf Champions League clash yesterday, but the Congolese club had the last laugh with a 1-0 win at Stade TataRaphael in Kinshasa.
Pitso Mosimane’s men seemed to cope well on the artificial pitch. After all, they trained on the same type of pitch at Nike Football Centre in Soweto as part of their preparations ahead of the trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Sundowns put up a brave fight, but their hard work was undone by poor defending deep into injury time in this first leg of the second round of the competition.
Sundowns had chances to bury their opponents at the 50,000-seat stadium, but AS Vita persisted and got the winner through Kule Mbombo. This is the same venue in which AS Vita beat Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 in 2012 in a Caf Champions League match.
Sundowns could have done better, however, but allowed AS Vita back into the match in the second half and paid the price for defending too deep.
Sundowns may have lost, but they had their chances.
In the seventh minute Keagan Dolly outran his marker down the left wing and played in for Leonardo Castro, whose first-time shot was deflected for a corner.
Hlompho Kekana tried his luck from distance in the 24th minute, but his shot was way off target.
Despite their early dominance, Sundowns could have gone behind in the 32nd minute. Luckily for them, Alongo Ndombe had left his scoring boots at home and his shot from close range was well wide.
AS Vita skipper, Guy Basisila was allowed space to dribble past Kekana and Themba Zwane in the 38th minute and, with space to shoot, his effort went past the upright.
AS Vita’s Bernard Morrison was a thorn in Sundowns’ side. The Ghanaian winger was through on goal just before the break, but missed with his attempt.
After the break Zwane could have given Sundowns the lead, but missed a sitter in the 52nd minute. A better option for the midfielder could have been a pass to Castro, who was in a good position.
AS Vita then began attacking in numbers and Sundowns opted to sit back.
With 54 minutes gone, Morrison was given too much space to dribble past three Sundowns defenders and found his way into the penalty box. But Denis Onyango came off his line to block Morrison’s attempt and the score remained goalless.
Dolly had his own opportunity in the 67th minute from a counterattack after an AS Vita corner. Dolly made a good run but hoofed his effort from the edge of the box. AS Vita had the final say as Morrison was once again allowed space to make his way into the box.
The winger shot on goal and Onyango saved, but could not hold onto the ball. Mbombo then slotted home from close range.
The return leg is set for Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on April 19.