Well, that didn’t go to plan. Mamelodi Sundowns are out of the CAF Champions League, so if you’ve been typing is sundowns out of caf into Google since Friday night, the answer is yes. The defending champions could only manage a 1 all draw with debutants Wiliete SC at Loftus Versfeld, and Angola’s finest went through on away goals. Nobody saw it coming. It’s also the first time since 2015 that Sundowns won’t be in the group stage.
Over in Soweto, Orlando Pirates had a much happier evening. Kaizer Chiefs, though? Not so much.
How Sundowns went out of the CAF Champions League
On paper, this looked easy. The first leg in Angola ended 0 0, which meant Mamelodi Sundowns only had to win at home. They’ve done that plenty of times before.
Tashreeq Matthews got them off to a flying start, scoring in the 11th minute. At that point, you’d have said the job was simple. Get a second goal, shut the door, go home happy.
Then came the moment that changed everything. A poor back pass, and Mabululu didn’t need a second invitation. The Angolan striker pounced and levelled it up for the visitors.
That was that. The aggregate was 1 all, and under the away goal rule, Wiliete SC were the ones moving on. Losing like this is tough enough. Losing it at home, in front of your own people, is worse.
Sundowns vs Wiliete SC: the tie at a glance
If you just want the numbers, here they are. The sundowns vs wiliete sc tie in a nutshell:
| Leg | Venue | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First leg | Angola | 0 0 | Neither side scored |
| Second leg | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | 1 1 | Matthews (11th minute) for Sundowns, Mabululu equalised |
| Aggregate | n/a | 1 1 | Wiliete SC through on away goals |
Anyone hunting for sundowns results or the sundowns score will find the same answer everywhere. The mamelodi sundowns score was 1 all, and it wasn’t enough.
Why this loss hurts so much
Think about who we’re talking about. Sundowns have been a heavyweight in sundowns caf competition for years. They even picked up their second CAF star last season, so they walked into this tie as the champions.
Which is exactly why it stings. Missing the group stage hasn’t happened since 2015, and that’s a long time between slip ups. When a club that big loses to a team playing at this stage for the first time, people notice. The story moved across the continent in minutes.
Still, give Wiliete SC their flowers. They held on in Angola, took the one chance they got in Pretoria, and walked off with the prize. That’s knockout football for you. One away goal can decide whether you’re playing group games or booking flights home.
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Wiliete: what the preview missed
Be honest, if you read a mamelodi sundowns vs wiliete match preview before kickoff, you probably expected a home win. Most people did. The hosts were champions and the visitors were newcomers.
But the wiliete sc vs mamelodi sundowns 2026 tie is a good reminder that previews only tell you so much. Football isn’t always simple. One loose pass and a whole season can wobble.
Looking for the match today?
A lot of fans have been searching for sundowns game today, sundowns match today, mamelodi sundowns game today and even mamelodi sundowns live. Here’s the simple answer: the match was played on Friday night, 23 October 2026, so it’s done. There’s no sundowns today game coming up, and no mamelodi sundowns today match either, because the team is out of the competition.
Whatever version of sundowns game you typed in, you’ll land on the same final score. If you want to double check, the CAF official website is an easy place to confirm caf results today without listening to rumours.
What about the caf champions league table? It’s still early. The tournament has only just moved past the preliminary rounds, so the groups are still taking shape, and Sundowns won’t be in them. Plenty of people use soccer laduma or soccerladuma for quick updates, which is fine, but it’s always smart to compare with official sources.
Chiefs fall in penalty heartbreak
Amakhosi fans had a rough night too. Kaizer Chiefs were knocked out of the CAF Confederation Cup by Zambia’s Red Arrows, also in the second leg of the second preliminary round.
Red Arrows arrived in Durban holding a 1 0 lead from the first leg in Ndola. Chiefs did what they had to do and won 1 0 on the night, which levelled the tie and sent it to penalties. Bradley Cross got the only goal.
Sadly, the shootout went the visitors’ way and Chiefs were out. Penalties are never simple for the side that loses them. You can play well for 90 minutes and still go home with nothing.
Pirates march into the group stage
Now for the good news. Orlando Pirates were superb in Soweto, beating African Stars of Namibia 4 0 to book their place in the group stage.
Thapelo Mokobodi broke the deadlock early, and Mpho Padime added a second in the 46th minute, just after the break. Then it was Evidence Makgopa’s turn. The Bafana Bafana striker scored twice and finished off the contest.
Pirates had already won the first leg 1 0 in Botswana, so they went through 5 0 on aggregate. No stress, no drama. The Buccaneers made it look easy, and the other clubs in the group stage will have taken note.
Quick summary of the night
| Club | Competition | Result | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mamelodi Sundowns | CAF Champions League | 1 1 vs Wiliete SC | Out on away goals |
| Kaizer Chiefs | CAF Confederation Cup | 1 0 win vs Red Arrows, lost on penalties | Out |
| Orlando Pirates | CAF competition | 4 0 vs African Stars, 5 0 on aggregate | Into the group stage |
What happens next for Sundowns
With Africa off the table for now, mamelodi sundowns f.c. will have to turn their focus back home. You can follow the mamelodi sundowns f.c. games in the domestic league on the official PSL website, where fixtures and results are easy to find.
Expect a lot of talk in the next few days. Supporters will want to know how an experienced side slipped up at home, and fair enough. But it’s too soon for proper answers. What we know is simple: the mamelodi sundowns fc team led, conceded after a mistake, and couldn’t find a second goal.
For the latest sundowns news, stick to the club’s official channels and trusted sports outlets. Any sundowns today update on changes at the club will show up there first, and fans who want a quick look at mamelodi sundowns today can check the official social pages. Every mamelodi sundowns vs local rival from here on will matter a bit more too, because this group will be desperate to bounce back.
Final word
What a night for South African clubs in Africa. Sundowns were stunned by Wiliete SC, Chiefs lost a shootout, and Pirates cruised. For the champions, the lesson is a simple one: a single mistake can undo months of work.
So, is mamelodi sundowns out of the CAF Champions League? Yes, they are. But this is a proud club, and mamelodi supporters will be hoping the next chapter reads a lot easier.
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