Useful opponents make Brazilians work hard for the draw, but Downs will be confident of winning at home

Mamelodi Sundowns had their chances but in the end had to settle for being held to a 0-0 draw by a fired-up Wiliete SC in Sunday’s first leg of their Caf Champions League second preliminary round tie in Angola.

The kickoff was delayed by a half-hour from 5pm to 5.30pm due to lightning in the vicinity of the stadium.

Ambitious Wiliete from coastal Benguela (population 550,000, the eighth-biggest city in Angola and capital of Benguela province), have grown in strength since replacing Benfica do Lubango in the country’s top-flight Girabola in 2019. They finished second in 2024-25 to earn a first place in the Champions League.

Wiliete were second again last season and top the log in the Girabola unbeaten early this campaign.

After beating Seychelles’ Foresters 5-0 on aggregate in the first preliminary round, Wiliete were eager to take the game to champions Downs at Estádio Nacional Tundavala in Lubango, 355km from Benguela, where the club’s home ground did not meet Confederation of African Football standards.

Downs had to absorb some physical hard running by the Angolan outfit, the South Africans spreading the ball around in characteristic fashion when in possession to pry some openings, though when they did they found solid Wiliete keeper Élber Binha hard to beat.

While an away goal would have put them in a commanding position, Sundowns will feel they have the firepower and muscle to beat Wiliete in the second leg at Loftus Versfeld on Friday (8pm) and secure their place in the group stage.

Downs have had a number of stalwart players out with injury including short-term absentees in goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams and left-back Aubrey Modiba and longer-term right-back Khuliso Mudau and centrebacks Grant Kekana and Keanu Cupido.

The Pretoria club had their chances in the opening half with Tashreeq Matthews and Teboho Mokoena both testing Wiliete keeper Élber Binha.

In a blow to the Brazilians, key midfielder Mokoena, who returned two matches ago for his club after an injury sustained on international duty for Bafana Bafana, went off injured again in the 40^th. He was replaced by Bathusi Aubaas two minutes later.

Downs came out from the change rooms absorbing some spirited running and attempts to stretch the South African club using their wingers from Wiliete.

A good run by Thapelo Morena down the middle ended with Matthews teed up on the left to shoot at Binha in the 66th.

At the other end centre forward Mabululu was on the end of a speculative bouncing ball into the area, his header forcing Ricardo Goss down to his left for a save.

The dangerous Gilberto burst past Ndamane into the area as Goss had to come out and block at the left-wing’s feet.

The Angolan club’s Brazilian coach Beto Bianchi rang the changes from his bench after that with three introductions, including forwards Merdi Kafuti and Ning.

By the end both teams seemed happy to settle for a draw.

In the Caf Confederation Cup, Durban City put themselves in with a strong chance of reaching the group stage with their 3-1 win over Port Louis of Mauritius at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday.