Mamelodi Sundowns kicked off their 2025/26 CAF Champions League group stage campaign in style, brushing aside DR Congo’s St Éloi Lupopo 3-1 at a sun-drenched Loftus Versfeld on Saturday evening.
Portuguese winger Nuno Santos was the undisputed star of the show, scoring twice (5’ and 77’) and playing a key role in the build-up to Marcelo Allende’s 61st-minute strike as the Brazilians asserted their status as Group C favourites.
Sundowns wasted no time stamping their authority on the contest. Just five minutes in, Miguel Reisinho threaded a clever pass through the Lupopo defence and Santos kept his composure to slot past goalkeeper Yves Mukawa for the opener.
The Congolese visitors, appearing in the group stage for the first time in over a decade, grew into the game and stunned the home crowd two minutes before half-time. A rare defensive mix-up allowed Wanet Kashala to nip in and fire past Ronwen Williams to level the scores.
Whatever was said in the Sundowns dressing room at the break clearly worked. The hosts returned with renewed intensity and regained the lead just after the hour mark when Allende exchanged passes with Santos before coolly side-footing home.
Substitute Arthur Sales, introduced in the 73rd minute, needed only four minutes to make his mark, delivering a pinpoint low cross that Santos swept home for his brace and the seal on the three points.
Both sides finished with ten men on the pitch after late yellow cards for Aubrey Modiba and Kashala, but the result was never in serious doubt in the closing stages.
The victory extends Sundowns’ unbeaten home record in CAF Champions League group-stage matches to 16 games (13 wins, 3 draws) and sends a clear message to the rest of Group C.
Man of the Match: Nuno Santos (Mamelodi Sundowns) Next up: Sundowns travel to face AS Maniema Union in two weeks’ time.
Full-time: Mamelodi Sundowns 3–1 St Éloi Lupopo (Scorers: Santos 5’, 77’; Allende 61’ | Kashala 43’)
Young Africans 1–0 FAR Rabat (Dar es Salaam – neutral venue) Prince Dube’s 58th-minute poacher’s finish hands Yanga a precious three points against Moroccan heavyweights FAR Rabat in Group B’s early blockbuster. Pedro Gonçalves’ side delivered a disciplined, counter-attacking masterclass to kick off their campaign perfectly.
Al Ahly 4–1 JS Kabylie (Cairo) The Red Devils roar to the Group A summit. Trezeguet (36’, 84’) and Mohamed Sherif (39’) put Ahly in command before an El Shenawy own goal (48’) gave Kabylie hope. A late Hadid own goal in stoppage time rounded off a convincing evening for the record champions.
Esperance 0–0 Stade Malien (Tunis) A frustrating night for the Tunisian giants as Mali’s Stade Malien produced a resolute defensive display to earn a valuable away point. Despite sustained pressure, Esperance couldn’t breach a well-drilled backline, leaving early questions in a tightly contested group.
Standout Performers
- Nuno Santos (Sundowns) – 2 goals, 1 assist
- Trezeguet (Al Ahly) – brace
- Prince Dube (Yanga) – match-winner
- Stade Malien rear-guard – clean sheet in Tunis
Group stage action continues next weekend – the race for the quarter-finals is officially on!