Dreary Downs crash out in West Africa

Mamelodi Sundowns’ stuttering African Champions League (CAF) campaign hit a new low in Lome, Togo on Tuesday when they slipped to a disappointing 1-0 Group C loss to AS Togo-Port to continue their winless streak in West Africa.

The South African champions were poor as they showed little urgency at times and were far too wasteful in possession. Their fate was sealed by a first-half strike from Ayi Hunlede.

The match was played on a bumpy artificial surface with exaggerated bounce that made the ball difficult to control‚ but Sundowns will see this as three points lost against a side that showed little quality too.

Sundowns have just two points from their opening three matches and next host Togo-Port in Pretoria on July 27‚ a must-win to keep their hopes of a quarterfinal place alive.

Coach Pitso Mosimane handed a debut to Bafana Bafana midfielder Andile Jali‚ with Anele Ngcongca at right back and Thapelo Morena on the right side of midfield.

Wayne Arendse and Ricardo Nascimento were the centre-back pairing‚ while Sibusiso Vilakazi led the attack with New Zealand striker Jeremy Brockie on the bench.

Hunlede found a first real sight of goal midway through the opening period but blasted his shot wide.

Sundowns’ best opening of the first half fell to Oupa Manyisa‚ who was released in the box by Hlompho Kekana‚ but as he delayed his shot the angle narrowed and home goalkeeper Jean-Robert Klomegan was able to save.

The home side grabbed the lead five minutes before the break as a shot was deflected off Nascimento and into the path of Hunlede‚ who fired his shot past the Sundowns goalkeeper, Denis Onyango.

Mosimane brought on Thokozani Sekotlong for Kekana at half-time and within seconds the forward found himself one-on-one with Klomegan‚ but was unable to beat the goalkeeper.

Vilakazi was next to find himself with just the keeper to beat‚ but again Klomegan spread himself well to deny the Sundowns attacker.

Tebogo Langerman tested the keeper with a long-range free kick and from the resultant corner saw his shot smash into the post.

The match was the sixth in West Africa for Sundowns and they are still waiting for their first win.

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