At Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Mamelodi Sundowns thrashed La Passe 7-0 to get their CAF Champions League campaign off to a great start.
Grant Kekana had an immediate impact early in the first minute of the match, the cheeky center half opening the scoring lines in 55 seconds of play time, giving the Brazilians the edge moving into the second leg of their continental match.
Five goals were scored in the first half, including an own goal, two from Gaston Sirino, one each from Aubrey Modiba, Sphelele Mkhulise, and Kekana, in front of a packed house. Masandawana’s efficiency and perfect record helped them to put up a good show. Denis Onyango, a seasoned goaltender who was playing for the Champion team for the first time this season, made sure it was a great afternoon’s work for Bafana Ba Style.
Pretoria was in a good mood since the day’s events had started as early as 13:00 and youngsters under the age of 12 had been given free admission to the stadium. After the first 20 minutes, La Passe merely stepped up the tempo as they began to pull away on offense, but the Brazilians’ unyielding defense thwarted their attempts. As the first half came to a close, Downs continued to run amok and the visitors were unable to get a goal back.
Mkhulise poked the ball into the goal in the opening minute of the replay, but the goal was disallowed for offside. After 50 minutes of play, Masandawana altered their starting lineup. Defenseman Rushine De Reuck was replaced by Bongani Zungu, while Themba Zwane, Khuliso Mudau, and Teboho Mokoena were replaced by Cassius Mailula, Sipho Mbule, and Thapelo Morena.
With a goal by Mbule, who scored his debut goal for the team, the Tshwane giants quickly increased their advantage to 6-0. Mailula’s low cross was completed by Mkhulise after he nudged the ball into the area and tucked the opportunity away. La Passe had absolutely lost their minds after giving the fans their first look at their CAF Champions League preparations.
Brazilians sealed their victory against Seychelles visitors in the first leg of the second preliminary round with a 68% ball control and seven goals scored. The two teams’ next meeting will take place on Friday, October 14 at 17:30 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
We arranged ourselves as follows: D. Onyango, A. Modiba, K. Mudau (53′ Morena), G. Kekana (63′ Lebusa), R. De Reuck (53′ Zungu), M. Mvala, S. Mkhulise, T. Mokoena (53′ Mbule), T. Zwane (53′ Mailula), M. Allende, and G. Sirino.
K. Mweene, T. Morena, S. Mbule, C. Mailula, M. Lebusa, B. Zungu, G. Motupa, N. Maema, and T. Kutumela are substitutes.