Stade Malien punish Petro errors to go top of Group D, Kimputu penalty lifts Lupopo past MC Alger

Stade Malien moved to the top of Group D of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with a composed 2–0 victory over Petro de Luanda in Bamako on Sunday, capitalising on costly defensive mistakes to move clear at the top of the table at the halfway stage of the competition.

Second-half goals from Taddeus Nkeng and captain Mamadou Traoré settled a contest that had been evenly poised before the break, lifting the Malian side to seven points from three matches and opening up a two-point lead over their nearest challengers.

The hosts showed greater intent in a cagey first half, probing patiently as Petro de Luanda sat deep and looked to absorb pressure.

The best opening fell to Daouda Coulibaly midway through the half, but Petro goalkeeper Nuno Marques reacted sharply, racing off his line to block from close range and keep the scores level.

The match turned decisively five minutes after the restart.

A mis-hit goal kick from Marques was seized upon by Traoré in midfield, and the Stade Malien skipper quickly fed Nkeng, who struck a low effort from distance that crept past the stranded goalkeeper to give the home side the breakthrough.

Petro’s problems deepened moments later. As the visitors attempted to play out from the back, left-back Eddie Afonso slipped under pressure, allowing Ousmane “Kalaba” Coulibaly to surge down the right and deliver a low cross.

Traoré arrived unmarked to hammer the ball into the roof of the net, doubling the advantage and leaving Petro stunned.

The Angolan champions threatened a response when substitute Jó Paciência missed a gilt-edged chance in the 75th minute, but Stade Malien remained organised to see out the win and maintain their impressive continental form.