Mamelodi Sundowns’ stuttering Group C campaign in the CAF Champions League continued on Sunday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by St Eloi Lupopo at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi.
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The Brazilians fought back from a goal down to salvage a share of the spoils, but will be disappointed at being unable to capitalise on their superiority through most of the game – with the result leaving them outside the top two (which will advance to the quarterfinals) with only one set of group stage matches still to be played.
Lupopo and Sundowns share the spoils in Lubumbashi 🤝#SSDiski | #TotalEnergiesCAFCL | #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/RJXDbjjxbB
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 8, 2026
Sundowns started strongly and threatened from early on, with defender Khulumani Ndamane putting a header just wide of the mark in the second minute.
Lupopo then began to threaten Sundowns' offside trap from around the quarter hour mark, and after a couple of occasions in which they saw the flag raised, the hosts executed a perfect attack in the 19th minute.
Jean Tukumbane beat the offside trap down the left side of the attack before unselfishly setting up Enoch Moila to score from close range at the far post – with Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams left helpless to prevent his side going behind.
Sundowns bossed the game in terms of possession and territory in the final 10 minutes of the first half, but were unable to create any clear chances with which to try and draw level, leaving the game 1-0 in favour of the hosts at the interval.
The visitors made a change early in the second half, with Brayan Leon replacing Peter Shalulile, and Arthur Sales also had a sight of goal in the 50th minute but failed to trouble SEL goalkeeper Esdras Kabamba.
However, five minutes later, Jayden Adams drew the Brazilians level at 1-1, directing a powerful header back across goal to find the back of the net after a corner kick delivery from Aubrey Modiba.
It's a free header for Jayden Adams and Sundowns are level 👆🟡
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 8, 2026
📺 Stream #TotalEnergiesCAFCL on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/JDuEAG1ax3
Set pieces were a major source of attacking pressure for Sundowns through the second half, and they nearly claimed the lead from another Modiba corner kick in the 72nd minute, which saw a sharp save from Kabamba and a follow-up which hit the crossbar.
However, that was as close as the South African club came to a winner, as they were forced to settle for a draw which leaves them in third place on the group: Al Hilal lead the way with eight points, MC Alger are second on seven, Sundowns have six and SEL complete the quartet with five.
The teams will complete their group stage campaigns next weekend, with Sundowns hosting MC Alger and Lupopo visiting Al Hilal.
Saint-Eloi Lupopo (1) 1 (Moila 19’)
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1 (Adams 55’)
LUPOPO: Kabamba, Mpeko (Twite 68’), Nekadio, Douhadji, Mendy, Tukumbane (Diore 81’), Kimputu (Sumbu 68’), Molia, Mika (Amongo 74’), Kambou, Mavungu (Kashala 68’)
SUNDOWNS: Williams, Mudau, Ndamane, Kekana, Modiba, Mokoena, Morena, Adams (Allende 82’), Santos (Matthews 64’), Sales (Rayners 82’), Shalulile (Leon 50’)