Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 0-0 draw by Wiliete SC in the first leg of their Caf Champions League second preliminary-round tie in Lubango, Angola, as injuries increased the pressure on a squad already navigating a punishing 2026/27 campaign.
The match was played 140km into southern Angola at Estadio Nacional Tundavala on Sunday, with Wiliete proving a tougher opponent than expected. Sundowns, defending the trophy, struggled to convert their first-half chances before the hosts became more assertive after the break.
Wiliete frequently used long balls and direct passes through veteran midfielder Karanga, targeting forwards Gilberto, Mabululu and Julinho. Sundowns tried to impose their usual possession-based approach, but coach Miguel Cardoso admitted that the Angolans’ direct style made it difficult.
“It is really important we understand the level of the opponent we are speaking about,” Cardoso said.
Wiliete have risen quickly since entering Angola’s top flight eight years ago. Owned by businessman and sports executive Wilson Fernando Faria, who also runs Wiliete Credito and private education academies, the club have finished sixth, fourth and second twice in the past four seasons. They are unbeaten this campaign and lead the Girabola by two points from Petro de Luanda.
“It’s a team at the level of Petro de Luanda,” said Cardoso. “And we know Angolan football [clubs] are difficult to play away.”
Although Sundowns did not secure an away goal, Cardoso was satisfied with the clean sheet.
“The team handled the game the way it had to be in terms of defensive actions,” he said, warning that Wiliete “can be aggressive at any moment” and are difficult to contain because they immediately play forward after winning possession.
Sundowns will host the second leg at Loftus Versfeld on Friday at 8pm, with Cardoso confident his side can make better use of their technical and tactical advantages.
The Portuguese coach acknowledged “a bit of fatigue in the players” after a schedule spanning seven competitions. Sundowns are attempting to regain the Betway Premiership title, have won the MTN8, will begin their Carling Knockout campaign against Marumo Gallants in two weekends and contest the Nedbank Cup later in the season.
They also won the African-Asian-Pacific Cup by beating Al-Ahli Saudi last month, in a match forming part of Fifa’s Intercontinenal Cup, and will play the Caf Super Cup next month while seeking to retain the Champions League.
Their injury list already includes Khuliso Mudau, Grant Kekana and Keanu Cupido, while Aubrey Modiba and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams have also been sidelined. Teboho Mokoena, recently returned from an injury suffered on international duty, went off in the 40th minute with another problem.
“We miss the maturity of a Ronwen Williams, maturity of a Teboho Mokoena,” said Cardoso.
He said Mokoena had felt pain in the same ligament and that Williams had been protected after suffering a minor training-ground knock.
With eight Sundowns players having represented Bafana at the World Cup in the off-season, younger alternatives have been required. Thabang Matuludi, Khulumani Ndamane, Malibongwe Khoza, Fawaaz Basadien and goalkeeper Ricardo Goss impressed in Angola, offering Sundowns further options for the demanding weeks ahead.
