Brian Mandela solid performance not enough as Mamelodi Sundowns stumble against TP Mazembe

STARS ABROAD Brian Mandela solid performance not enough as Mamelodi Sundowns stumble against TP Mazembe

Mark Kinyanjui 09:00 - 03.12.2023

Mandela, who is seemingly starting to become a regular starter for Sundowns, did fairly okay although they were downed 1-0 by TP Mazembe on Saturday.

Harambee Stars defender Brian Mandela featured for 77 minutes but got booked as Mamelodi Sundowns suffered their first loss of the season against four-time African Champions TP Mazembe on Saturday evening.

Mandela, who is seemingly starting to become a regular starter after months of being on the fringes playing for the African giants, did okay, although his performance was not particularly spectacular either.

He made four clearances, winning three out of his four attempted ground duels, but lost both of his two attempted areal duels. He was successful with one of his two attempted long balls and had an 88 percent pass success rate.

He did however get booked in the 28th minute for time wasting.

Having lost to Pyramids of Egypt in the first round last weekend,  Mazembe were desperate for maximum group A points when they hosted Sundowns in Lubumbashi.

Sundowns were clearly the superior side though and could have won on another day, having made 16 attempts at goal, with six of those hitting the target and another three hitting the woodwork.

The Congolese succeeded thanks to a 60th-minute goal from Glody Likonza, who took advantage of slack marking to nod a cross past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Sundowns pair Themba Zwane and Khuliso Mudau were foiled by the woodwork as the club lost in the premier African club competition for the first time since falling to Petro in April 2022.

"The players gave everything and I am proud of them," said Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena, who suffered only his second loss in domestic and African competitions since taking charge last year.

Sundowns remain first on 3 points, with TP Mazembe second in the standings.

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