Mamelodi Sundowns have suffered one of the biggest CAF Champions League shock exits in recent years after Angola’s Wiliete SC eliminated them on the away-goals rule. The defending champions failed to reach the group stage for the first time since 2015 following a 1-1 draw at Loftus Versfeld.

The first leg in Angola ended goalless, leaving everything to be settled in Pretoria on Friday night. Sundowns started strongly and took the lead in the 11th minute when Tashreeq Matthews scored with a deflected shot. They controlled most of the game and created the better chances, but Wiliete stayed organised and dangerous on the counter.

Four minutes into the second half, the visitors equalised. A defensive mistake by Cassius Mailula allowed Mabululu to race through and finish past Ronwen Williams. That goal, scored away from home, proved decisive. Despite sustained pressure and several substitutions, Sundowns could not find a second goal. Wiliete held on for a famous result and booked their place in the group stage for the first time in the club’s history.

The exit is a major setback for the Brazilians. They had reached the group stage in each of the previous 11 seasons and entered the tie as African champions. Coach Miguel Cardoso described the result as a failure and said the team had only themselves to blame. He acknowledged the difficulty of the moment but stressed that Sundowns must quickly move on and focus on the other trophies still available to them this season.

Sundowns join a list of defending champions who have fallen before the group stage, including clubs such as Al Ahly and Raja Casablanca in past years. The result underlines the unpredictability of African club football, where even the strongest sides can be caught out by well-organised underdogs.

For Wiliete, the night was historic. For Sundowns, it was a painful early end to their title defence. Attention now turns to domestic competitions and other continental opportunities as they look to bounce back.

Source: https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2114403330457764137