Brian ‘Niang’ Mandela featured full minutes as Mamelodi Sundowns fell 2-1 to Petro De Luada in Luada in the first leg of the two-legged CAF Champions League quarterfinal match.Mandela was making his way back to the team at the continental stage after missing out in their last group match following his red card against Al-Hilal Omdurman.Masandawana were not stripped in their usual yellow jerseys, instead, it was Petro de Luanda who were in yellow jerseys and blue shorts.The South African side took an early lead after just six minutes through Lyle Lakay but their lead only lasted for 10 minutes as Tiago Azulão hit back 16 minutes in to make it 1-1.6′ GOAL! Lyle’s laser-accurate left foot puts us in the lead as he buries the free-kick!#Sundowns #DownsLive #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/CpRF4bA2z7— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 16, 2022 Adriano Belmiro Duarte Nicolau, famously known as Yano, gave the Angolan side the lead for the first time in the game in the first stoppage minute of the first half to sway the team talks for the two teams at the break.The hosts thought they deserved a penalty, claiming that the Mandela had handled the ball in the box but with the replay showing otherwise and the VAR nullifying their claims upon consultation.Minutes after their appeals for the penalty were quashed, Petro De Luada were dealt another blow as Azulão’s strik was chalked off for an offside.90+5′ The goal is ruled out after VAR check. #Sundowns #DownsLive #TotalEnergiesCAFCL— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 16, 2022 Neo Maema thought he had leveled the scores for Sundowns right at the death with a ‘what a goal’ moment but his sumptuous goal was chalked off for a foul in the buildup after the referee conducted an onfield VAR review. While Sundowns booked their quarterfinal slot after finishing top of Group A without losing a match, Petro De Luada finished second in Group D behind Wydad Athletic Club to make it to the last eight. Brian Mandela reflects on his CAF Champions League sojourn with Mamelodi SundownsIn the other quarterfinal match played at midnight, ES Setif of Algeria and Esperance Tunis of Tunisia played to a barren draw in Algeria, leaving their tie wide open ahead of the return leg next week.
