AS Otoho d'Oyo 2-1 Mamelodi Sundowns: Morena grabs crucial away goal

AS Otoho d'Oyo secured a 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2019/20 Caf Champions League preliminary round first-leg match in Congo-Brazzaville on Sunday afternoon.

The reigning Congolese Ligue 1 champions were looking to start their campaign with a victory and Thibault Biassadila, Bercy Langa and Alex Nganou started in their attack.

On the other hand, Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane adopted a cautious approach with three defensive midfielders - Andile Jali, Tiyani Mabunda and Hlompho Kekana starting.

The hosts got off to a great start as they broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the encounter through their target man Nganou.

Sundowns defender Mosa Lebusa had conceded a penalty and Nganou hit the back of the net from the spot-kick to make it 1-0 to Otoho.

The visitors tried to respond with a goal, but Phakamani Mahlambi's effort was well-saved by the Otoho goalkeeper Wolfrigon Ngobo. 

It was soon 2-0 to Otoho and this time it was Fousseini Yacoubou, who scored from a well-taken corner-kick four minutes before the half-hour mark.

Things went from bad to worse for Brazilians as their captain Kekana was given his marching orders and the away side was reduced to 10 players.

However, Sundowns did not sit back despite being numerically disadvantaged and Lebohang Maboe's effort shaved the upright just before half time.

Mosimane decided to change his approach at the beginning of the second half and introduced attack-minded duo Sibusiso Vilakazi and Themba Zwane.

The two South Africa internationals injected some life into Sundowns' attack as they looked to pull one back.

The visitors' lively full-back Tebogo Langerman was brought down inside the Otoho box, but the match referee waved play on.

Sundowns never lost hope and they did grab a crucial away goal through Thapelo Morena when he beat Ngobo with a thunderous shot to make it 2-1 with 14 minutes left.

Otoho tried to restore their two-goal lead in the latter stages of the match, but Sundowns stood firm at the back and ultimately, the match ended in a 2-1 win in favour of the hosts.

The second-leg encounter will be played in South Africa on the weekend of August 23-25.