Goals by Khama Billiat and Gaston Sirino did not prove to be enough as Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 2-2 draw by Horoya in their CAF Champions League group C clash at the Stade Du 28 Septembre on Tuesday evening, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
The clash got off to an exciting start with both sides signalling their intent to attack in the opening exchanges.
After getting the better of two defenders, Percy Tau came agonisingly close to setting-up the opener in the fifth minute, but Bangaly Soumahoro was unable to connect with his teasing ball into the area.
Sundowns upped their tempo as the game went on and came close to taking the lead through efforts from Billiat and Hlompho Kekana respectively.
The Guinean outfit looked to impose their physical superiority on Masandawana, but the South African side showed their experience on more than one occassion, as they looked to draw first blood.
Sundowns goalkeeper Brimah Razak, who was virtually a spectator in the opening exchanges, was called into action in the 20th minute when he parried a goalbound header away from goal.
Razak was called into action a few minutes later as Horoya started to dominate proceedings and looked poised to grab the lead.
Sundowns players were guilty of being too casual and were fortunate not to get punished in the 33rd minute when enterprising movement between Yacouba Mando and Aboubacar Camara saw the latter find space down the flank, but his ball into the area could not find a teammate.
The two sides went into the half-time break deadlocked at 0-0.
The home side emerged as the stronger team in the second stanza and deservedly took the lead when Ocansey Mandela made up for an earlier miss and slotted home from close range in the 51st minute.
Pitso Mosimane’s side enjoyed a sustained period of pressure as they looked to equalise, but their efforts amounted to nothing as Horoya continued to clear their lines.
The home side began defending deeper in their own half and were punished as a result when Billiat drew matters level for Sundowns in the 69th minute following a good passage of play.
Sensing a way back into the game, Sundowns launched numbers forward and were awarded a penalty with 15 minutes left in the game as Billiat was hauled over by the goalkeeper. Sirino stepped up to convert the resultant penalty as they took a 2-1 lead.
Horoya immediately reverted to the long-ball option and punished a ball-watching Sundowns minutes later from a set-piece as Camara headed home the equaliser in the 83rd minute.
In the end, the two sides were forced to settle for a point each as they played to a 2-2 draw.
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