CAF Champions League
Result: Leones Vegetarianos 0-2 (Brockie 10', Zwane 77') Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 28 November 2018
Venue: Estadio de Ebebiyin
Mamelodi Sundowns will take a two-goal lead back to South Africa after defeating Leones Vegetarianos 2-0 in the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round tie.
Rivaldo Coetzee made his first appearance for the side after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, slotting into the left-back spot, while Jeremy Brockie was handed a rare start upfront.
The Brazilians threatened early on through Gaston Sirino, who had his effort saved by the opposition shot-stopper as they took control from the onset.
Brockie, who has experience in the CAF Confederation Cup, justified his spot in the side by opening the scoring with a first-time volley following a cross from Mosa Lebusa.
Coetzee was playing his first game since 2017 and he nearly marked his return with a goal with an effort that sailed narrowly wide of the upright midway through the first half.
Sundowns were certainly looking to bury Leones in the first leg, but they were left frustrated in the closing stages of the half as Brockie rattled the upright after being picked out by Sirino, while Themba Zwane had a powerful effort saved before the break.
The visitors picked up from where they left off in the first half, with Sirino going close to scoring on two occasions in the opening stages of the second.
That proved to be Sirino's final involvement as the Uruguayan made way for Ali Meza, with one eye on Sunday's Tshwane derby against SuperSport United.
The second goal eventually arrived in the 77th minute, with Zwane finding the back of the net after being set up by Lebohang Maboe.
With Sundowns comfortably leading, Pitso Mosimane opted for a double change, as Lyle Lakay and Oupa Manyisa replaced Brockie and Andile Jali.
Sundowns did have a couple more openings to extend their advantage, but the likes of Maboe and Zwane failed to capitalise as the encounter ended 2-0.
Here's how they lined up:
Sundowns: Onyango, Coetzee, Lebusa, Arendse, Ngcongca, Jali (Manyisa), Kekana, Zwane, Maboe, Sirino (Meza), Brockie (Lakay).
Subs: Pieterse, Morena, Manyisa, Lakay, Meza, Mahlambi, Silva.
