Wiliete SC coach Beto Bianchi has commended his players for their strong defensive performance after the Angolan club eliminated Mamelodi Sundowns from the CAF Champions League, marking the first time they reached the group stage in their history.

Wiliete achieved a 1-1 draw against Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night, advancing on away goals after the first leg ended without any goals in Lubango. This outcome was a significant letdown for the South African team, which came into the match as the reigning African champions and favorites to move forward.

Sundowns started the second leg robustly, with Tashreeq Matthews scoring in the 11th minute. However, Wiliete leveled the score shortly after the second half began, with Cristóvão “Mabululu” Paciência capitalizing on a defensive error by Cassius Mailula in the 48th minute.

Although Sundowns dominated possession and created numerous chances, they could not find the net again, tallying 18 shots compared to Wiliete’s six. The visitors remained well-organized defensively, maintaining their advantage until the match concluded.

Bianchi expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, praising them for sticking to the game plan against a seasoned and skilled opponent like Sundowns. He acknowledged that his players anticipated significant defensive duties due to Sundowns' possession style but felt they navigated the pressure effectively and seized their scoring opportunity.

The coach also noted that eliminating Sundowns on their home turf is a significant milestone for his team, given the caliber of the opponents and the expectations surrounding the match. For Wiliete, reaching the CAF Champions League group stage is a critical achievement and aligns with one of their primary goals for the season—something Bianchi had previously emphasized.

Meanwhile, Sundowns' exit has intensified the scrutiny on both the team and head coach Miguel Cardoso, as the club failed to qualify for the group stage for the first time in 11 years, ending their title defense before it started.

Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Tlhopie Motsepe expressed his disappointment over the club's elimination, calling the result painful for the board. He indicated that coach Cardoso is now expected to secure victories in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and CAF Super Cup to compensate for the disappointment of this early exit from continental play. The chairman highlighted the necessity of winning trophies to restore confidence and meet the club's ambitions.

The focus will now turn to how Cardoso responds to this setback and whether Sundowns can find success in their remaining competitions, as strong reactions are anticipated from both players and the technical staff after missing a major target.

Additionally, the lead-up to the second leg garnered attention due to reports of a supposed confrontation between Bianchi and Sundowns assistant coach Steve Komphela after the first match, which resulted in Bianchi being taken to the hospital, escalating tensions surrounding the game.

However, Wiliete's historic advance has redirected the focus back to football, with Bianchi and his players rejoicing in their significant achievement while Sundowns are left to ponder their disappointing performance in Africa.

Source: IDiskiTimes