Petro stun Downs to claim first-leg advantage

Petro de Luanda claimed a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Caf Champions League quarterfinal first-leg match at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda on Saturday evening.

Therefore, the 15-time Angolan champions grabbed the first-leg advantage and the two teams are set to meet in the second-leg encounter in South Africa on 23 April with a spot in the semifinals at stake.

Masandawana dominated the game from the start - winning free-kicks in the Tricolours' half and they managed to break the deadlock from one of their set-pieces. Lyle Lakay beat Wellington hands down with a fierce shot from a set-piece to hand Sundowns a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute.

However, Sundowns sat back and allowed Petro to control the match, which saw the hosts level matters through Tiago Azulao in the 16th minute. The Brazilian centre forward turned home To Carneiro's quality cross from the left to make it 1-1 with the visitors' defence exposed.

This served as a wake-up call for Masandawana, who had a great opportunity to restore their lead after Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile had combined brilliantly in the hosts' box. Zwane then hit the upright from close range and his partner in crime Shalulile fired wide of the target from close range.

Azulao and his strike partner Yano were looking dangerous whenever the Tricolours pushed forward. The duo was involved when Petro took a 2-1 lead in first-half stoppage time as Azulao's cheeky backheel attempt was parried into Yano's path by keeper Denis Onyango and the Angolan striker netted to make it 2-1 to Petro heading into the halftime break.

Sundowns began the second half exactly as they started the first - pressing the hosts' defence and winning set-pieces. Shalulile had a great opportunity to level matters when he connected with Lakay's fabulous free-kick, but the Namibian hitman was fantastically denied by Wellington.

However, Petro looked dangerous on the counterattack with the likes of Pedro Pessoa and Gleison ready to pounce on the flanks. Onyango was called into action by Pessoa and the former Uganda captain produced a diving save to deny the Angolan winger.

Lebohang Maboe and Neo Maema were both introduced by Sundowns co-coaches Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena as the visitors looked to level matters and push for the winning goal. It was end-to-end stuff in the latter stages of the match.

Maema thought he had snatched a late equalising goal when he beat Wellington with a thunderous long-range shot, but the goal was disallowed after a Video Assistant Review. At the other end, Maya pulled the trigger from range and Onyango produced a fantastic diving save to ensure that the game ended in a 2-1 win in favour of Petro.

Petro (2) 2 (Azulao 16', Yano 45'+1)

Sundowns (1) 1 (Lakay 6')

TEAMS:

Petro de Luanda:Wellington, Pedro Pinto, Afonso, To Carneiro, Quinito, Soares, Jaredi, Pedro Pessoa (Maya 90'), Tiago Azulao, Yano (Anderson Cruz 66'), Gleison (Ito 90').

Mamelodi Sundowns:Onyango, Mudau (Safranko 78'), Lakay, Mandela, Lebusa, Jali, Mokoena (Mvala 83'), Zwane (Erasmus 83'), Morena (Maema 65'), Sirino (Maboe 65'), Shalulile.