Mamelodi Sundowns suffered their maiden defeat in this season's Caf Champions League when they lost 2-0 CR Belouizdad in a Group B game at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Two first-half goals from Amr Sayoud and Ahmed Gasmi earned the Algerian club a well-deserved win as they avenged their 5-1 defeat to Masandawana on group stage matchday one in Tanzania.
Masandawana were looking to end a successful group stage campaign with a victory and also extend their unbeaten run to 29 matches across all competitions.
The Sundowns technical team, which is led by Manqoba Mngqithi, rested some of the club's key players with George Maluleka and Mothobi Mvala among the players who were starting.
On the other hand, the White and Reds were desperate for a victory in order to qualify for the quarter-finals having secured a 2-0 win over DR Congolese giants Tout Puissant Mazembe last weekend.
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Sayoud, who came off the bench to score against Mazembe, was handed a starting berth by Belouizdad's interim co-coaches Slimane Raho and Karim Bakhti
Sundowns dominated possession from the start with Belouizdad happy to sit back and launch quick counter-attacks in the opening proceedings.
Aubrey Modiba and Hlompho Kekana both unleashed long-range shots which failed to trouble Toufik Moussaoui in the White and Reds' goal.
Moussaoui then made a fine save from Peter Shalulile's curling effort after the Sundowns striker, who had turned brilliantly before shooting at goal.
The deadlock was broken a minute before the half-hour mark following a quick move by the visitors and it was finished off by Sayoud to make it 1-0 to Belouizdad
Sundowns tried to respond with a goal, but they left spaces behind their defence and they were punished by Gasmi, who scored to hand Belouizdad a 2-0 lead on the stroke of half-time.
Belouizdad controlled the match after the restart and the hosts made a triple substitution as they introduced Lesedi Kapinga, Gift Motupa and Promise Mkhuma.
The White and Reds defended very well at the back with Raho and Bakhti, having introduced Bilal Tarikat as they refreshed their midfield.
With the visitors' defence looking impenetrable, Masandawana resorted to shooting from range, with Lebohang Maboe's effort narrowly missing the target in the closing proceedings.
The last chance of the game went to Sundowns after they were awarded a free-kick in a promising area, but Maboe's effort from the set-piece was blocked by the wall and the match ended in a 2-0 win in favour of Belouizdad.
The win saw Belouizdad qualify for the quarter-finals as Group B runners-up, while pool winners Sundowns end their group stage on a low note.
Masandawana will now take on Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on April 12 as they look to extend their lead at the top of the PSL standings.
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