St Eloi Lupopo Brought Back to Earth as South Africa Return Turns Sour

Congolese side St Eloi Lupopo did not have a fruitful return to South Africa as they started their CAF Champions League group stage campaign on the wrong footing.

Lupopo, who eliminated Orlando Pirates at the second preliminary round, met their waterloo when they started on a losing note as they were beaten 3-1 by South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria on Saturday.

New Sundowns signings Nuno Santos and Miguel Reisinho were the architects of Lupopo’s downfall with the former playing a key part with two goals and an assist.

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Sundowns took just four minutes to hit the front when Reisinho brought in a delightful ball that went over the Lupopo defence and found Santos who finished with class from close range in the box.

Lupopo would weather the storm until on the stroke of halftime when they grabbed an equaliser through Wanet Kashala, who scored from close range in the 44th minute, for 1-1 at the break.

In the second half, Sundowns went ahead after 61 minutes, Santos this time turning provider as he found Marcelo Allende in the box with the Chilean slotting home with low shot on his left foot.

Sundowns kept prodding and the third goal arrived after 77 minutes when Arthur Sales’s cross found Santos in the box and the Portuguese playmaker headed home for 3-1 as Miguel Cardoso’s men overpowered their Congolese opponents.

It was a reality check for Lupopo, who had come into the match high on confidence, after eliminating last season’s semi-finalists Pirates and they now have their work cut out when they host Al-Hilal in their next match on November 30 with the Sudanese club having started with a 2-1 win over Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger on Saturday.