Soccer-African Champions League holders knocked out in second round


FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Intercontinental Cup - Mamelodi Sundowns v Al Ahli - Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa - September 19, 2026 Mamelodi Sundowns players huddle during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo

PRETORIA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - ⁠HoldersMamelodi Sundowns of South Africa were ⁠bundled out of the African Champions ‌League in the second preliminary round on Friday, beaten on the away goals rule by Wiliete ​from Angola.

The second leg at ⁠Loftus Versfeld in ⁠Pretoria finished 1-1 five days after the ⁠two ‌sides had played out a goalless draw in Lubango in the ⁠first leg last Sunday.

Sundowns went ahead ​after 11 ‌minutes through Tashreeq Matthews but Angola ⁠international Mabululu ​equalised four minutes into the second half.

Wiliete then produced a stout rearguard action to ⁠reach the group phase for ​the first time.

The lineup for the next round, where 16 teams will be divided ⁠into four groups, will be decided on Sunday when the last of the preliminary round matches are played.

Sundowns qualified for ​the group phase in ⁠the previous 11 editions of the Champions ​League and their defeat ‌ranks among the competition's ​biggest shocks.

(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Toby Davis)

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