Champions Sundowns Suffer Shock Early Exit from CAF Champions League

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns have been knocked out of the CAF Champions League in a major upset, falling to Angola’s Wiliete in the second preliminary round.

The elimination ends Sundowns’ title defence before the group stage, leaving the South African side out of that phase of the competition for the first time in 12 years.

Wiliete delivered the surprise result against the holders, turning a qualifying tie into an early turning point in this season’s tournament.

For Sundowns, the exit marks an abrupt reversal of fortunes: from African champions to a preliminary-round elimination, with their long run of group-stage appearances brought to an end.