Wiliete S.C. stunned Mamelodi Sundowns to eliminate the reining African champions on the away goals rule and deny them a spot in the group stages of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League campaign.
After a goalless draw in Angola last week, Sundowns knew they needed to be flawless to avoid any potential upsets at home with an away could potential crucial in the second leg fixture in Tshwane.
And they got off to the perfect start to settle the nerves when Tashreeq Matthews fired home after 10 minutes to give the home supporters plenty to get behind the squad under the Friday night lights at Loftus Versfeld.
Brayan Leoń had two golden chances to put the game to bed before the break but spurned both and looked lacklustre and not at his usual clinical best in and around the area.
And the champions were made to be punished by their lack of efficiency when a howler just as the second half started saw Mabululu played in to snatch a devastating equaliser, as they now were in asendency with the away goal.
Cassius Mailula’s poor back pass saw Marcelo Allende flat-footed and the ball went through for the legendary Angolan striker to have a 1v1 with Ronwen Wliliams which he slotted him with ease.
It proved the only opportunity and goal the visitors needed to stun Masandawana and eliminate them from the competition before the group stage.
It’s the first time The Brazilians failed to reach the group stage since 2015 and an embarrassing exit as defending champions for Miguel Cardoso’s troops.
As the lead the Premiership table, won MTN8 and the FIFA Africa-Asian-Pacific-Cup, the exit proves a monumental dent in their season’s ambitions.