Mamelodi Sundowns were knocked out of the Caf Champions League at the quarter-final stage for the third season running after a 1-1 draw with Petro de Luanda in the second leg had them exit 3-2 on aggregate.

The Brazilians came into the game having to overturn the 2-1 loss from the first leg a week ago.

The South African side started on the front foot and almost took the lead with just eight minutes gone when Themba Zwane won the ball high up the pitch before setting up the in-form Peter Shalulile, but the Namibian couldn’t find target.

Sundowns continued to search for the opener and had a chance as Thapelo Morena shaved the upright before Shalulile had an effort from point-blank range parried away by the keeper.

However, the Brazilians were handed a golden opportunity to open the scoring just before the break as the referee consulted VAR before awarding a penalty for a foul on Zwane. The South African stepped up and sent the spot kick wide.

The scoreline was 0-0 at the break with Downs still searching for the all-important opener.

That goal came just four minutes into the second stanza as goalkeeper Wellington Lima parried Lyle Lakay’s free kick into the path of Brian Onyango, who tapped in from close range to put Downs level on aggregate and through on the away-goals rule.

Petro thought they had an instant response as Joaquim Balanga headed home, but the goal was overturned following a foul by the goalscorer on Denis Onyango.

VAR was having a big say, being called into action again with 64 minutes gone as Andile Jali brought down Gleison Moreira and the referee pointed to the spot after consulting the monitor. Captain Tiago Azulao stepped up and smashed home his effort to go ahead on aggregate and level on the day.

Sundowns looked to their bench and threw everything they had at the visitors in the last 20 minutes, but couldn’t find a way past the determined Angolan side for Downs to suffer a disappointing elimination.