Stars Abroad: Mandela makes comeback as Ayunga provides assist

England-based Jonah Ayunga got full 90 minutes under his belt before being substituted as Brian Mandela watched his Mamelodi Sundowns side play to a barren draw in games that were played yesterday.

Ayub Timbe on the other hand was not named on Sunday's matchday squad for the second consecutive game since linking up with his Vissel Kobe side.

Jonah Ayunga

The 23-year-old striker provided an assist as his Bristol Rovers side succumbed to a fifth consecutive defeat.

It is a shaky and nervy start to the game that cost Rovers the game. Luke Leahy scored an own goal in the first minute of the game as Ipswich came out strongly off the blocks before Alan Judge added a second for the hosts in the eleventh minute.

Luke McCormick pulled one back for Rovers in the 18th minute with a beautiful dink after an Ayunga pass sent him through on goal. The result left Rovers wading deep in relegation territory, only two points ahead of bottom-placed Rochdale who have played two games less.

Brian Mandela

Harambee Stars defender Brian Mandela could only watch from the bench as his Mamelodi Sundowns side dropped first group stage points against Sudan's Al-Hilal Omdurman in the CAF champions league.

They however preserved their unbeaten record in the 0-0 affair played in Sudan to stay at the top of Group B on 13 points, seven clear of second-placed CR Belouizdad. This was Mandela's first appearance on the match day squad for Sundowns since 19th January.

AyubTimbe

Since travelling and linking up with Vissel Kobe a fortnight ago, Stars winger Ayub Timbe has not been included in two matchday squads for Vissel Kobe.

The former Reading FC winger was sent to the Japanese J.League bubble as a precautionary measure to Covid-19 after he arrived in Japan from Belgium.