Sundowns held to goalless stalemate in Caf Champions League group opener

The South African champions came into the contest looking to get back into form after shock 2-1 loss to Magesi in the Carling Knockout Cup on Saturday.

Head coach Manqoba Mngqithi decided to freshen his team up for the continental contest against the DRC Congo outfit but the changes failed to work, especially upfront.

Arthur Sales was given a start in the striker position but the Brazilian forward failed to take his opportunity and was largely anonymous in the first half.

Sundowns dominated the ball but only had long-range efforts to show for all the possession, although midfielder Teboho Mokoena did go close but was denied by Maniema goalkeeper Brudel Liyongo.

Sales then had a golden opportunity in the opening stages of the second half but shot straight at Liyongo from point-blank range after being teed up by Marcelo Allende.

The away side then gained confidence and started to threaten the Sundowns goal and created few chances of their own, with Exaucia Moanda going closest after smashing his effort against the cross-bar from close-range with Ronwen Williams beaten.

Mngqithi responded by making a triple substitution with 20 minutes remaining, bringing on Khuliso Mudau, Neo Maema and forward Peter Shalulile with the hapless Sales one of the players making way.

The visitors though were always resolute in defence and denied Sundowns any clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities although Allende grazed the cross-bar from a long way out close to the full-time whistle.

The result will be disappointing for the South Africans as they would have targeted a home victory over Maniema with Morocco teams AS FAR and Raja Casablanca the other two sides in the group.

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