Sundowns Beat Mokwena’s Alger To Reach Champions League Quarter-Finals
Mamelodi Sundowns put a week of off-field distractions behind them with a crucial 2-0 victory over MC Alger to secure qualification for the CAF Champions League knockout stages at Loftus Stadium on Saturday.
The build-up to the match had been dominated by controversy after Sundowns suspended a performance analyst Mario Masha accused of allegedly sharing tactical information with former Downs coach Rulani Mokwena, who is now in charge of MC Alger.
Mokwena dismissed the allegations at the press conference on Friday, stating that the analyst would never risk his job in that manner. He explained that the information shared between them related to the analyst’s UEFA coaching studies.
Leon Fires Sundowns Ahead
On the pitch, the match was tightly contested, with few clear-cut chances in the opening stages.
Sundowns broke the deadlock in the seventh minute through Brayan Leon. The Colombian striker reacted quickest inside the box after Arthur Sales’ powerful effort was blocked by Alexis Guendouz. Sales had dispossessed Larbi Tabti on the edge of the area before unleashing a fierce strike, and Leon calmly finished from close range.
The early goal was exactly what Sundowns needed, as they came into the encounter requiring nothing less than victory. The result temporarily moved them to second place in Group C on nine points, two behind leaders Al Hilal, who were leading 1-0 at home against TP Mazembe.
Cardoso vs Mokwena Narrative
The clash also carried added intrigue, with Mokwena facing his former club. He left Sundowns at the end of the 2023/24 season after guiding them to a league title and the inaugural African Football League trophy. However, he was dismissed following their semi-final exit to Esperance in the CAF Champions League.
Esperance were coached at the time by current Sundowns mentor Miguel Cardoso, who later led the Brazilians to last season’s CAF Champions League final, where they fell short against Pyramids.
Sundowns were staring at the possibility of failing to reach the knockout stages for the first time since 2018, during Pitso Mosimane’s tenure. But they responded with a composed and disciplined performance.
Second-Half Control Seals Progress
Just before half-time, Sundowns nearly doubled their advantage. Teboho Mokoena combined well with Tashreeq Matthews to escape his marker and unleash a powerful effort that rattled the crossbar.
The second half remained cagey, with both sides struggling to create clear opportunities as Alger pressed for an equaliser.
Sundowns eventually secured breathing space in the 63rd minute. Aubrey Modiba poked the ball into the six-yard area, and Leon applied a deft near-post touch that caught Guendouz off guard to make it 2-0.
At that stage, MC Alger slipped to third in the group on eight points, while the Congolese side Lupopo remained rooted at the bottom of the table.
With their campaign on the line, Mokwena threw caution to the wind in search of a comeback, but Sundowns held firm under pressure.
The victory ensured Sundowns progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals as Group C runners-up, while MC Alger bowed out in third place. Sundowns will have to improve in the knockout stages.
