Mamelodi Sundowns registered a second successive draw in the CAF Champions League following a 1-1 stalemate against ASFAR in their second Group B match on Saturday evening.
Sundowns had enjoyed possession, especially inthe first half but could not fine-tune their final pass to make any real threats. The first real chance of the game was of the hosts in the 19th minute from Anas Bach but he shot just over the bar.
In the 23rd minute, Mothobi Mvala had to be stretched out as he sustained a knee injury with the Sundowns technical team bringing on Musa Lebusa as his replacement. Â
The South African champions were also lucky not to concede a penalty just before the half-hour mark after Aubrey Modiba’s late challenge on Youssef Alfahli. ASFAR had another real attempt at goal in the 38th minute, but that went way over the bar as well.
The second half saw Hubert Velud’s men intensify their efforts however Ronwen Williams made important saves to deny them a goal from a free-kick and moments later from open play. Williams played the ball forward after the save to Iqraam Rayners who smashed the net in the 66th minute to give Manqoba Mngqithi’s side the lead.
That was short-lived as the hosts levelled through their captain Mohammed Rabie Hrimat’s tap in, in the 74th minute.
This is Bafana ba Style’s second draw in a row after being held by debutants Maniema in the first match in Pretoria.
The 2016 champions sit second in the group with two points same number of points as Maniema behind them and two points from the Moroccan side in the top spot with four points from the same number of games.
