Mamelodi Sundowns had a positive start to their CAF Champions League knockout stages campaign following their 3-0 victory against Stade Malien on Friday night at Loftus Versfeld. Goals from Khuliso Mudau, Brayan Leon and Iqraam Rayners saw Masandawana kick off their knockout round campaign on a high note.
Four minutes into the match, the hosts looked to fire an early goal when Aubrey Modiba whipped a cross in front of goal but the goalkeeper came out to make a save to deny Downs an early goal.
An exchange between the two sides went on but there were no clear-cut chances on sight but after the 20th minute, Tashreeq Matthews rattled the visitors’ defence. HE dribbled past a defender and headed to the danger area coming from the left flank but the keeper, again, came out to make a save.
Stade Malien had an attacking opportunity when they drove the ball to the left flank but Khuliso Mudau closed the attacker down even before making a cross to attempt a goal.
With only ten minutes left to the opening half and after a thorough VAR check, Mudau is the man to finally find the breakthrough for Masandawana. Arthur Sales made a defence-splitting pass into the box which found Mudau who did not hesitate to beat the goalkeeper and slotted it in.
The last big effort of the first stanza came from Modiba but was closed down by the keeper. They found a rebound after Tashreeq Matthews won the ball but his shot was not powerful enough which led to the keeper bucketing the effort. The hosts went to the break with a goal advantage.
Masandawana almost extended their lead three when Mudau made a cut-back to Brayan Leon in the box. Leon triggered a shot but was headed away by the Stade Malien defence. Sales found the rebound outside the area and lobbed it back to the box. Nuno Santos was there to connect with the ball but he missed it by a few inches.
Just after the 50th minute, the visitors were awarded a corner kick which almost got them a reward through a goal. The ball went past the Downs defence and were lucky to see it go wide.
Two minutes later, the Brazilians doubled their advantage through Brayan Leon. The ball came from Santos who made an accurate long pass to the box. Leon met it and able to nick in between the defender and the goalkeeper to tap it in the box.
The visitors’ created their first opportunity of the second half but were silenced by Mudau who made a challenge to clear the ball away. This earned the Malian side a corner kick which was also cleared out of danger.
After another lengthy VAR check, substitute, Iqraam Rayners’s goal was allowed on the 74th minute. Santos, again, made a cross to set up Rayners who lobbed the ball in to hit the tongue of the net.
The hosts almost made it four when substitute, Monnapule Saleng attempted to cross the ball to Rayners. His effort, however, was cleared away.
The visitors dug deep to find a goal while their hosts were looking to extend their lead but a three-goal advantage is what they will have as they head to Mali for the reverse fixture.
How we lined up: Williams ©, Mudau, Ndamane, Kekana, Modiba, Mokoena, Adams, Santos, Sales, Matthews, Leon.
Subs: Onyango, Johannes, Basadien, Mothiba, Mdunyelwa, Zwane, Allende, Saleng, Rayners.
