Out of This World! Club Champions Sundowns Stun Bundesliga Giants RB Leipzig In Pretoria
Fresh from lifting their second CAF Champions League title, Mamelodi Sundowns produced a spirited comeback performance to defeat Bundesliga side RB Leipzig 3-1 in an international club friendly at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday evening.
A friendly organised by energy drink, Red Bull, The Brazilians entered the match proudly displaying the second star above their club badge after securing their second CAF Champions League crown last weekend with victory over Moroccan side AS FAR in Rabat.
Sundowns and Leipzig met as part of the Red Bull Postseason Tour, which saw the German club travel with a squad comprising 16 first-team players and 10 academy prospects. Leipzig finished third in the recent Bundesliga campaign and have qualified for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
The encounter marked the second time Sundowns had faced Bundesliga opposition. In June last year, the Tshwane giants suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat to Borussia Dortmund during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
It was also the first time since May 2018 that Sundowns faced European opposition in an international friendly. On that occasion, they lost 3-1 to La Liga champions Barcelona, with Sbusiso Vilakazi scoring the only goal for the South African side.
Sundowns were forced to make several changes to their squad, with Ronwen Williams, Khulumani Ndamane, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams, Themba Zwane, and Iqraam Rayners all away on international duty with Bafana Bafana ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
At the back, the hosts fielded a youthful defensive line consisting of Kegan Johannes, Malibongwe Khoza, Thato Sibiya, and Gomolemo Kekana.
Despite missing several key players, Sundowns started brightly and matched their opponents throughout the opening stages. However, it was Leipzig who broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when 17-year-old Samba Konaté unleashed a right-footed strike from outside the box to make it 1-0.
The hosts responded positively and continued to play with confidence. They nearly found an equaliser after 30 minutes when Marcelo Allende fired a right-footed effort from near the penalty spot, but his shot drifted wide of the target.
Sundowns came out strongly after the break and dominated large periods of the second half. The Brazilians pinned Leipzig back and created numerous scoring opportunities, although they were unable to find the breakthrough during the opening 20 minutes of the half.
Their persistence eventually paid off in the 77th minute when Brayan León scored from inside the six-yard box after being set up by Tashreeq Matthews, bringing Sundowns level at 1-1.
With momentum firmly on their side, Sundowns continued to press forward in the closing stages. Their attacking intent was rewarded after the 90-minute mark as Nuno Santos put the hosts ahead before León completed his brace moments later.
The late goals sealed a memorable 3-1 victory for Sundowns, capping off another impressive evening for the newly crowned African champions against one of Germany’s top clubs.
