Sport · Singapore Bureau
African Champions League holders Sundowns exit in second round
Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, defending champions of the African Champions League, have been eliminated from the competition in the second preliminary round. The Pretoria-based club fell to Angola's Wiliete on the away goals rule following their tie.
LSN Singapore ·
South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, holders of the African Champions League title, crashed out of the continent's premier club football competition on Friday in an unexpected second preliminary round exit. The club succumbed to Angolan side Wiliete, with the away goals rule proving decisive in a tightly contested tie.
The elimination marks a significant upset in the African Champions League, with Sundowns having held the trophy from the previous season. Their departure opens the field for other continental heavyweights seeking to advance through the early rounds of the tournament.
Wiliete's victory over the South African champions underscores the competitive depth of African club football, where preliminary round matches often produce surprises. The Angolan club will now progress to face further challenges as the competition advances.
The loss represents an early setback for Sundowns' continental ambitions this season, ending their defence of the title earlier than many observers anticipated.