Sundowns’ away win headlines Champions League action

The 2019-20 Caf Champions League wrapped up matchday three in its group stage with five matches across the continent on Saturday, headlined by Mamelodi Sundowns’ away win in Algeria.

The Brazilians took firm control of group C with a 1-0 triumph over hosts USM Alger at Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida in an early-evening match, with captain Hlompho Kekana scoring the only goal of the game just before the hour mark.

The victory sees the South African side move to seven points from a possible nine at the top of the log and well on their way to qualification for the last 16. In the other group C match played later in Morocco, Wydad Casablanca cut Sundowns’ lead back down to two points with a 4-1 thrashing of Angola’s Petro de Luanda – inspired by a hat-trick from Ayoub El Kaabi.

In group B, there is now a three-way tie at the top of the log after wins for Al Ahly and Al Hilal. The latter Sudanese side claimed a surprise 1-0 away triumph over Etoile du Sahel in Rades (thanks to a second-half goal from Althar El Tahir) to join the Tunisians on six points in an early-evening game.

The night game at the Al Salaam Stadium in Cairo then saw the Egyptian giants Ahly defeat Zimbabwe’s FC Platinum 2-0, with attacker Walid Soliman scoring both goals for the Red Devils to see them join Etoile and Hilal on half a dozen points.

The day’s action opened in Ndola, Zambia with a 1-1 draw between hosts Zesco United and Egyptian giants Zamalek. The White Knights led through Motsafa Mohamed, but were pegged back by Team Ya Ziko’s Quadri Aladeokun.

The result means DR Congo heavyweights TP Mazembe top group A with seven points, three ahead of second-placed Zamalek, while Zesco have drawn level with Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto on two points apiece.

The Champions League will return with group stage matchday four fixtures (the return games from this weekend’s clashes) on 10-11 January 2020.

Caf Champions League results - Saturday, 28 December

Zesco United 1-1 Zamalek
Etoile du Sahel 0-1 Al Hilal
USM Alger 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Wydad Casablanca 4-1 Petro de Luanda
Al Ahly 2-0 FC Platinum