Mamelodi Sundowns have put one foot into the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League after beating CR Belouizdad 4-1 at their own home ground on Saturday evening.
Sundowns started like a house on fire and opened the scoring in the sixth minute when talisman Peter Shalulile headed home from close range after the the Postman, Aubrey Modiba had delivered a beautiful cross.
Shalulile turned provider in the 20th minute, setting up Neo Maema, who calms slotted home from inside the box to make it 2-0.
Belouizdad, pushed forward by the home crowed, upped the tempo and wanted a penalty in the 38th minute when the ball appeared to hit Mothobi Mvala on the hand inside the box, but the referee waved play on after a lengthy VAR review.
The home side eventually got onto the scoresheet in injury-time of the first half when Miloud Rebiai was at the end of a corner to head home.
However, Shalulile restored Sundowns’ two-goal lead five minutes into the second half, converting calmly after the ball bounced to him from a Belouizdad defender.
Just a minute later, Thapelo Morena almost scored Sundowns’ fourth but his shot from a tight angle hit the upright.
Themba Zwane should’ve scored the fourth in the 61st minute after superb interplay via Shalulile but missed a sitter from close range.
Shalulile almost completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute but only hit the post from a tight angle after rounding the goalkeeper.
Mailula eventually netted Sundowns’ fourth in injury-time, converting a rebound from close after the goalkeeper had saved Nasir’s initial shot.
The crucial away win opened the door for Sundowns to reach the semi-finals for the first time since the 2018/19 season, when they lost to Wydad Athletic Club.
