Coach Pitso Mosimane rang the changes to the side that beat AmaZulu mid-week with Thapelo Morena, Wayne Arendse, Tebogo Langerman, Mauricio Affonso and Gaston Sirino all returning to the starting XI.
The Brazilians went into the lead early with Gaston Sirino playing an inch-perfect ball for Mauricio Affonso, who made no mistake with a well-taken header.
The South American duo of Sirino & Affonso continued to put pressure on the Angolan side but it was Motjeka Madisha who claimed the Brazilians second goal with a powerful header at the back post from a pinpoint Langerman cross.
Mamelodi Sundowns went into the break leading Petro de Luanda by two goals in their CAF Champions League Group C opener.
The second half saw more attacking dominance from Downs with Jali and Coetzee winning their midfield battles allowing the likes of Sirino and Mkhulise to try break down the Petro defence.
Sirino was instrumental again later on as his perfectly timed through ball found Mkhulise who calmly slotted home for Downs’ third of the night.
Downs’ defence remained resilient with Arendse and Madisha leading the back line to a well earned clean sheet.
Full time:
Mamelodi Sundowns (6′ Affonso, 29′ Madisha, 75′ Mkhulise) 3⃣➖0⃣ Petro De Luanda
Line up:
Sundowns: 1. Mweene, 27. Morena, 4. Langerman, 2. Madisha, 6. Arendse, 15. Jali, 19. Coetzee, 25. Maboe, 21. Mkhulise, 10. Sirino, 9. Affonso.
Subs: 30. Pieterse, 29. Soumahoro, 26. Makgalwa, 13. Mabunda, 7. Lakay, 11. Vilakazi, 16. Ngcongca.
Congratulations to the team. We expected the points to come in that way. Thank you to the team, it seems every player is lifting his hand to deliver which gives the coach a healthy headache on who to select. All the goals coming from the less obvious candidates making Sundowns an unpredictable team in international competition. Kusazoba late! KBY
Congratulations Masandawana for your continued hard work, We are on top of the table and i would like us to remain there. I win or draw in Morocco will be a good result. and then we must beat them in South Africa. and Members please come to the Stadium and let us fill it. You are losing if you don’t come to stadium. Members also please buy tickets in time, we only had 2 people selling tickets and there was pushing and shoving kids could get hurt. Amasandawana a hlala a jabulile, Yes Motsepe siya e thanda i Sundowns.
Congratulations to the team for a very good win and special thanks to the technical team for the way they manage the team,fresh legs equals to hunger and hard running throughout the game.It is very heart warming to see us reaping the fruit of our development.Lets take this attitude and performance to our next game.Lastly, to both technical team and players plz give the Downs family the best Christmas ever by winning us Telkom cup,we’ve come a long way,we can’t let it slip at this stage.Plz plz plz don’t underestimate Maritzburg,train in the,on the mud and in the sun if you have to.
This is the third win in a row, The Sky Is The Limit.
Members let us prepare now for Telkom Cup final, PLEASE VAAL let us make arrangements as a branch I am prepared to Go by any means car, Bus or flight please let us talk. let us paint N3 yellow to collect this trophy. I really like and respect Eric and his boys BUT unfortunately we are in a corner here and there is nothing we can do. Please members this week the team is away and let us prepare for the 14th trip. I will be at Moses Mabida by hook or crook. Ka bo yellow Masandawana and yes We luv this team.