Mamelodi Sundowns secured top spot in their CAF Champions League group, while Percy Tau helped Al Ahly to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Rulani Mokwena rung the changes, with only Cassius Mailula starting from the XI that began the 1-1 draw at Al Hilal in Sudan before the international break.
Haashim Domingo had the first notable chance of the game but his volley from the edge of the box was saved by the goalkeeper in the 20th minute.
Just two minutes later, Rushing De Reuck came close to scoring but his header following a corner flew over the bar.
Downs weren’t as dominant as in most encounters this season, as Coton Sport gave them a physical game and visibly keen to avoid another heavy defeat.
However, the home side eventually opened the scoreline in the 42nd minute when a Terrence Mashego cross go deflected into the own goal by Marie Mekong.
Mokwena used the match to gave some minutes to players who haven’t played much off late, with Erwin Saavedra and Abubeker Nasir coming off the bench in the 62nd minute.
Mekong almost caught Pieterse napping in the 66th minute but his shot from the right wing only hit the outside of the post.
Nasir made it 2-0 for the hosts via a calm finish finish following a quick counter in the 86th minute, while Coton Sport pulled one back in injury-time thanks to a powerful shot by Moshood Kasali
Meanwhile, Al Ahly beat Al Hilal in the other Group B fixture to climb above Sudanese side on the log. Kahraba gave his side a first half-lead before Percy Tau assist Hussein El Shahat superbly in the 64th minute.
El Shahat completed his brace in the 81st minute to leave no doubt of Al Ahly’s ambitions.
Saturday’s results see Sundowns finish in first spot on 14 points, while Al Ahly and Al Hilal follow with 10 but the record champions are ahead on goal difference in the direct clashes.
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The draw for the quarter-finals will take place on Wednesday, 5 April.
Source Link Downs Secure Top Spot, Al Ahly Into Quarters
