Mamelodi Sundowns staring at early Champions League exit after shared spoils with Lupopo

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Mamelodi Sundowns staring at early Champions League exit after shared spoils with Lupopo
Miami Gardens, USA, 25th June 2025. Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns during the Mamelodi Sundowns FC vs Fluminense FC FIFA Club World Cup match at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens. Picture credit should read: David Klein / Sportimage EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. SPI_070_DK_Sundowns__Fluminense SPI-3992-0069

Mamelodi Sundowns are staring at the possibility of exiting the CAF Champions League at the group stage following a 1-1 draw away to St Eloi Lupopo of DR Congo on Sunday.

Sundowns headed into the contest in Lubumbashi in third place in the group and were hoping to win to boost their hopes of a place in the quarter-final.

However, they could only get one point after a difficult game in which both sides had chances to win.

Sundowns’ job became more difficult when a high-pressing Lupopo team won possession in midfield with Jean Tukumbane making a great run into the box to tee up Enoch Molia who slotted home at the near post.

Jayden Adams restores parity

The Sundowns defence had been caught out as they played a high defensive line and the pace of the Lupopo attackers was too much for them.

After the goal, Sundowns struggled to get going on the artificial pitch with their sleek passing not coming through as they would have wished while their midfield was nullified.

The result was Nuno Santos and Arthur Sales being forced to drop deep, leaving Peter Shalulile isolated up front.

However, after the break, Miguel Cardoso’s team restored parity as their attacks yielded a goal. Jayden Adams, getting a rare start, headed beautifully into the top right corner in the 55th minute to give the Brazilians hope.

What do Sundowns need to advance?

Sundowns would boss proceedings but with no end product as they could not make inroads into the box and when they did, they failed to find the target.

One such chance fell to Sales who broke free 10 minutes from time but he could not get his shot on goal.

Lupopo would hold on to nick a point which leaves Group C wide open heading into the final match as Al Hilal lead with eight points, MC Alger second on seven, Sundowns on six while Lupopo have five.

Sundowns take on MC Alger in their final group stage match next weekend and must win to seal a place in the quarter-final since even a draw will see them eliminated at the group stage.  

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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