Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a 1-0 defeat to TP Mazembe in a CAF Champions League group stage clash on Saturday afternoon.
Masandawana coach Rhulani Mokwena recalled captain Themba Zwane and Teboho Mokoena to the line-up, with the in-form duo of Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro Costa maintaining their places up top.
Ribeiro looked to maintain the run of form he is on inside five minutes through a nicely worked shot amidst the defensive presence around him, but ended up going wide.
Mazembe were brought to life after the slight scare and had a promising combination between Mor Talla Mbaye and Magloire Ntambwe reduce the Brazilians to last-ditch defending.
The host maintained a little bit of the tempo near the midway point and forced goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into a close-range save off a clever angled shot by Abdallah Cheick Fofana.
Sundowns contained the pressure and came within inches of the lead seven minutes to halftime when Zwane worked through a challenge to get a shot in only for the crossbar to deny him.
Masandawana did go in front a minute in the second period from a header at the back-post by Khuliso Mudau, but the flag went up following an offside.
The upright stood between the Brazilians again three minutes later as Ribeiro Costa opened up his body to get the narrowest angles before firing off the post.
Mazembe proved accurate and grabbed the lead around the final 20 minutes when a cross from Ibrahima Keita met Glody Likona who needed no second invitation.
Masandawana battled to get a quick response though came close through a combination by Shalulile and Ribeiro, but goalkeeper Badara Faty denied the former.
Sundowns showed two changes late on in the hope of levelling it up, as Lesiba Nku replaced Thapelo Morena before Grant Kekana filled in for Brian Onyango.
Faty rose to the fore again in the final stages when he thumped a ferocious shot from Mudau away and onto the upright, as Masandawana slumped to a narrow defeat and their first in this season’s tournament.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Lebusa, B.Onyango, Mudau, Mokoena, Mashego, Morena, Allende, Zwane, Ribeiro, Shalulile
Subs: D.Onyango, Nku, Sirino, Kekana, Mkhulise, Mbule, Seabi, Maema, Maboe
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