Mamelodi Sundowns have put one foot in the Caf Champions League semifinals after they racked up an emphatic 3-0 win over Stade Malien at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday evening.
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The Brazilians romped to victory in the first leg of the teams’ quarterfinal tie thanks to goals from Khuliso Mudau, Brayan Leon and Iqraam Rayners.
Sundowns found an attacking rhythm from early on, but had to wait until just before the midway point of the first half to create their first clear opening, with Tashreq Matthews showing some slick skill to break free down the left of the Malien penalty area, but he was quickly closed down by goalkeeper N’Golo Traore.
The Brazilians claimed the lead in the 34th minute, with Khuliso Mudau finishing with a low shot across Traore after an excellent through ball by Arthur Sales. The offside flag initially stunted Sundowns’ celebrations, but VAR soon reversed that decision and put the hosts into a 1-0 lead.
Mudau had a chance to double his and Sundowns’ tally for the night within two minutes of the restart in the second half, as a poor clearance fell kindly for him in the penalty area, but the right-back snatched at the half-volley and put his effort over the target.
However, the South African side found the net again in the 54th minute, as Nuno Santos played in a great ball to pick out Brayan Leon, who controlled the cross and then stabbed a shot beyond Traore to make it 2-0.
Around the hour mark, Downs were denied a strong appeal for a penalty, with Matthews seemingly wrestled to the ground by Babe Diarra in the 18-yard area. The referee even checked the incident on screen in a VAR review, but stuck with his initial decision to continue play.
VAR was the centre of attention again in the 74th minute, this time in favour of Sundowns. Substitute Iqraam Rayners expertly turned home a right-flank cross from Santos – initially the flag was up, but upon review it was determined that the striker was narrowly onside and a 3-0 lead was confirmed.
The Brazilians did not sit on their three-goal cushion, but looked to add to their advantage in what remained of the game. Despite being unable to find a fourth, it was nonetheless a polished and professional performance from the South African champions that will likely see them into the final four of the continental competition.
The return match is set for the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako on the afternoon of Sunday, 22 March. The aggregate winners will advance to the semifinals to face either Esperance de Tunis or Al Ahly.
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 3 (Mudau 34’, Leon 54’, Rayners 74’)
Stade Malien 0
SUNDOWNS: Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Ndamane, Modiba, Mokoena, Santos, Adams (Allende 71’), Sales (Zwane 77’), Matthews (Saleng 65’), Leon (Rayner 65’)
MALIEN: N. Traore, Diarra, Camara, Simpara, Awine, Mandjan, Bello, M. Traore (Simpara 87’), O. Coulibaly (A. Coulibaly 81’), D. Coulibaly (D. Traore 81’), Nkeng