Al Merrikh vs Mamelodi Sundowns: The Brazilians and Sudan’s Red Devils Draw 0:0 in an Entertaining Encounter

• Al Merrikh and Mamelodi Sundowns could not make the most of the chances that they created during the game
• Sudan's Red Devils and South Africa's Brazilians did not score but did produce an entertaining encounter
• Mamelodi Sundowns still top their Confederation of African Football (CAF)Champions League group despite the draw

Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Merrikh played out to an entertaining goalless draw in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League.

Both the South African and Sudanese sides could have won the match as each created a host of chances.

Sundowns started much the stronger side could have gone a goal up in the second minute. Themba Zwane was charged down by onrushing Al Merrikh keeper, Monged Abuzaid.

Sundowns dominated the rest of the first half but either had shots deflected away or failed to latch onto the end of crosses.

Pete Shalulile also found himself offside on more than one occasion. Erwin Saavedra and Surprise Rulani also looked attacking during the first half an hour of the game.

Lyle Lakay and Richard Mbulu score stunners, Mamelodi Sundowns and Baroka FC play out to an entertaining draw

Football

Sundowns should have taken the lead at the half-hour mark. A poor back pass from the Al Merrikh defenders found Shalulile alone in the box but Abuzaid forced him wide and he couldn’t get a shot off.

Shalulile managed to feed the ball back to Zwane who found Saavedra. Saavedra’s shot was blocked but the Bolivian was injured in the process.

He had to be stretchered off, leaving many concerned as it was only his first start for the team.

Al Merrikh had the best chance of the half when Hussein Nooh’s attempt was cleared off the line by Brian Onyango. It proved to be their only attempt on target during the first half.

The second half was a different affair as Al Merrikh came out fighting. With the support of a few fans in the stadium cheering them on, the Sudanese team peppered the Sundowns’ goal and even scored one. The goal was struck off for being offside. It did serve as a warning for Sundowns, though, of just what the Red Devils of Sudan could do.

Baroka FC's Richard Mbulu scores contender for DStv Premiership Goal of the Month against Mamelodi Sundowns

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Al Merrikh continued to dominate the second half, with Sundowns launching the occasional attack. Neither team could break the deadlock though and the match ended 0-0. Sundowns had the last chance of the match as Masandawana pushed forward in the dying minutes. With a few intricate passes, Lesedi Kapinga found Thabiso Kutumela who flashed his shot just wide.

Sundowns have now drawn their last two away games, one to Baroka and now to Al Merrikh. Sundowns do remain on top of the group but have played two games already.

Al Hilal Omdurman and Al Ahly share the spoils, Egyptian giants and Sudan's best play out to a goalless draw

In the other game in the group, Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman played out to goalless draw in the Confederation of African Football(CAF) Champions League, Sports Brief reported.

Al Ahly were competing in their first game in the tournament while Al Hilal Omdurman was playing their second fixture, after losing the first to Mamelodi Sundowns. Al Hilal Omdurman looked much the stronger side during the encounter, often posing a threat down the wings.

Abdul Ajagun and Abakar Mugadam often found themselves with the ball at their feet in dangerous situations but couldn’t do anything with it. Mugadam should have opened the scoring in the sixth minute but his tame shot was easily scooped up by Ali Lotfi.