Mamelodi Sundowns secured an emphatic 5-2 win over Al Ahly in their CAF Champions League clash at Loftus Versveld to qualify for the quarter-final stage for the fifth consecutive season.
After the wins over Coton Sport and Al Hilal, the draw in Cairo opened Group B wide open but Sundowns produced a performance in Tshwane to solidify their status as one of the favorites for the competition and leave Ahly on the brink of an embarrassing group stage exit.
The DStv Premiership champions got the scoring underway via Marcelo Allende who hit a fierce effort from outside the area that skid off the wet surface and into Mohamed El Shenawy’s net.
Sundowns had Ahly pegged back and under immense pressure, but Aubrey Modiba lost possession in front of his own box which resulted in Mohamed Sherif leveling matters.
It clearly irked head coach Rulani Mokwena for their complacency, but what ensued after was nothing short of remarkable – as Themba Zwane showed his experience breaking the offside line from Mothibi Mvala flick on to slot home the second and back in the lead.
This before Teboho Mokoena netted a sensational long-range strike from well outside the area that had the Egypt national team goalkeeper rooted to his spot.
It appeared that Sundowns would be cruising to a win, but the Red Devils showed their pedigree in the second half as they got control of the spaces Sundowns exploited to perfection in the opening 45 minutes.
And just after the hour mark, the livewire Percy Tau took Aubrey Modiba to task before running in on goal and smashing a fierce effort past Ronwen Williams.
Backed by a nearly packed Loftus, Sundowns once again upped the ante of and it was no surprise to see Peter Shalulile coming to the part to add the fourth.
Ahly threw everything they had to attempt to claw their way back into the game but Sundowns threat on the counter remained throughout. However, the two-goal cushion was enough for Mokwena’s side to see out the game comfortably.
Three points for Masandawana moves them to 10 points and a superior head-to-head record over the Red Devils, thus qualifying them for the next round, while Ahly will need to beat Coton Sport and Al Hilal – and hope Sundowns beat the Sudanese giants away from home.
