Mamelodi Sundowns breezed past Remo Stars in the CAF Champions League to seal a place in the group stages at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Kabo Yellow already finished half of the job in the first leg in Abeokuta last weekend, beating the Nigerian Professional Football League champions 5-1.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS CRUISE INTO THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGES
In today’s battle, the South African champions won 2-0 to complete an aggregate score of 7-1. New Portuguese superstar Nuno Santos scored in the 20th before the Namibian legend Peter Shalulile made it 2-0 in the 44th minute.
How they lined-up:
Denis Onyango, Khuliso Mudau, Grant Kekana, Keanu Cupido, Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba, Marcelo Allende, Tashreeq Matthews, Peter Shalulile, Nuno Santos, Arthur Sales.
Substitutes: Reyaad Pieterse, Jayden Adams, Mosa Lebusa, Bathusi Aubaas, Kutlwano Letlhaku, Miguel Reisinho, Divine Lunga, Katlego Ntsabeleng, Lebogang Mothiba.
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Sundowns are clearly gunning for the CAF Champions League trophy this season after losing to Egypt’s Pyramids FC in last year’s final, the closest they came since winning the tournament in 2016.
SUNDOWNS CAFCL RECORD SINCE WINNING IT IN 2016
- 2024/25: Lost in the final to Pyramids FC
- 2023/24: Lost in the semifinals to Esperance (then coached by Cardoso)
- 2022/23: Lost in the semifinals to Wydad Casablanca
- 2021/22: Lost in the quarterfinals to Petro de Luanda
- 2020/21: Lost in the quarterfinals to Al Ahly
- 2019/20: Lost in the quarterfinals to Al Ahly
- 2018/19: Lost in the semifinals to Wydad
- 2017/18: Group stages exit
- 2016/17: Lost in the quarterfinals to Wydad
- 2015/16: Champions after beating Zamalek 3-1 on aggregate.
Meanwhile, in the local league, the start has been solid but slightly uneven. Masandawana sit at the top of the Betway Premiership table despite three draws and one loss in 10 games, which is below their lofty standards. In cup competitions, they bowed out early, falling to Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout first round and to Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semifinals.
Still, their attack remains intimidating to any team: 17 goals in 10 league games while conceding only five.
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