Shoot-out agony for Harambee Stars defender as Sundowns endure Carling Cup elimination

STARS ABROAD Shoot-out agony for Harambee Stars defender as Sundowns endure Carling Cup elimination

Mark Kinyanjui 11:40 - 19.10.2023

The Kenyan defender missed Sundown’s first penalty as the Brazilians were knocked out of the Carling Cup by TS Galaxy

Harambee Stars defender Brian Mandela missed a penalty as 10-man Mamelodi Sundowns were knocked out of the Carling Knockout Cup by TS Galaxy after playing out a 2-2 draw after extra time at the Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday night.

Onyango came on as a substitute in the 116th minute as Sundowns were attempting to hold on to their draw and get to penalties, and did not really have enough time to assert his influence on the game before taking the shootout 

Despite being depleted by injury and national team absences and playing half of the two-hour match with just 10 men, Sundowns fought back from two goals down but were ultimately put out of the competition in the shootout, after Mandela and Lesiba Nku saw their kicks saved by Galaxy goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.

Galaxy claimed the lead just 13 minutes into the match, with Sphiwe Mahlangu forcing the ball over the goal line from close range after a defensive mistake from Sundowns, which saw goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse and Bongani Zungu scramble over the same deflected cross.

And it was 2-0 in the 16th minute, as Higor Vidal’s corner kick picked out the unmarked Mlungisi Mbunjana, who steered home a header to put the Rockets in firm control of the tie.

 Sundowns started the second half strongly and threatened a goal in 52 minutes when Junior Mendieta ran onto a ball over the top of the defence and struck a fierce shot on target from a tight angle, forcing another fine stop from Ntwari.

They reduced the deficit in the 57th minute when Allende unleashed a long-range grass-cutter that found the bottom corner to halve the deficit and bring the Brazilians back into the game.

 It seemed Sundowns were destined to suffer a 2-1 defeat, but in the eighth minute of stoppage time, a corner kick picked out substitute Gaston Sirino, who volleyed through a crowd of players and into the net via the inside of the post to make it 2-2 and send the game to extra time and subsequent penalties.

The Rockets converted five of their six kicks, while the Brazilians had their opening penalty hit by Mandela and closing efforts kept out by the home side’s goalkeeper to suffer a bitter exit from the Carling Knockout Cup.