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JOHANNESBURG – Former African champions Mamelodi Sundowns are watching the embarrassing scenario of being eliminated from the CAF Champions League in the group stage.
The Brazilians are at the bottom of Group C midway with only two points in their first three games. Tuesday, they were knocked out by the minnows AS Togo-Port in Lomé at the Municipal Stadium.
The Sundowns got into the game by trying to get the most points from the Togolese side in their own backyard, and then to Tshwane later this month to make their way into the top two in Group C. [19659002] The group stage of the continent's first knockout competition continued with this loss, which forced them to make a drastic turnaround in their remaining matches to reach the knockout phase for the third year in a row.
The chances of Sundowns reach the quarter-finals. The Brazilians seemed disjoint in Lomé.
Brazilians fall on the road in Togo. #Sownowns #DownsASTogo #DownsLive #CAFCL pic.twitter.com/ie0ou05Ce
– Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) July 17, 2018
They lacked penetration and especially killer instinct in front of the goal, which is why they find themselves in this bad position. What was supposed to be an easy win has turned into a frustrating encounter against the beginners at this stage of the Champions League.
The Brazilians marked their authority from the start looking for their first win in the group stage.
The Togolese defense seemed to have a heavy task in refusing a win at the Sundowns, all the more so as they were deprived of suspended captain Issifou Bourahana and central defender Hakim Ouro-Sama, who signed for the French giants Lille.
But it is the defense of the Brazilians who was punished first. Ayi Hunlede gave the hosts the advantage after the pass from Abdul Bode was deflected by Ricardo Nascimento on the way to the center forward.
The 22-year-old has not been deceived and his goal will fall in the history of the club, giving them their very first win in the group stage of the Champions League.
This goal came from the first chance of Togo and they punished the Brazilians who had most of the possession but who did not do much with it.
The Sundowns had nice touches, but they lacked the finishing touch to put the Group C boys to the sword. This did not help that they had no point of reference in advance.
Sundowns normally against this by relying on the inspiration of Percy Tau and Khama Billiat in advance.
It will not be easy! Boys get used to the harsh conditions in Africa.
➖ #Soldowns #CAFCL pic.twitter.com/CaFBJAO0sy– Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) July 15, 2018
They will have to go to school. Inspire from this competition and from the league, Billiat having left the club and Tau en route.
Pitso Mosimane added this starting point from the second half, bringing Thokozani Sekotlong to Hlompho Kekana.
Mamelodi's player should have scored goals in his introduction but AS Togo-Port goalkeeper Klomegan Ayao made a superb save at close range.
Ayao played a leading role for guests with his unorthodox stops. His team does not care about how he made these stops, which interests him, it's that he did them and stopped the Sundowns while helping them to record their first victory
AS Togo-Port celebrated this victory.
They slept well, feeling the # 1 on the continent thanks to them who beat the winners of the 2016 Champions League. The Sundowns must discover themselves quickly if they ever come back to these heights.
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