CAF Champions League
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 AC Leopards
Date: 12 March 2016
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Goals from Keagan Dolly and Leonardo Castro handed Mamelodi Sundowns a 2-0 win over AC Leopards in the first leg of their CAF Champions League tie.
Sundowns got off to an encouraging start and could have gone ahead after seven minutes, when Khama Billiat did well to cut inside, before firing inches wide of the upright.
The Brazilians continued to dominate and went even closer in the 29th minute when Teko Modise rattled the crossbar from the edge of the area.
Billiat was a major threat for Sundowns down the left flank and the Zimbabwean was at the heart of all the hosts' attacks in the opening 45 minutes.
Leopards, meanwhile, were quiet content to sit back and let the home side have the ball, with the hope of catching them on the counter. While, they also failed to test Denis Onyango throughout the opening stanza.
Pitso Mosimane's side broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime, as Dolly did well to create space for himself before unleashing a sublime effort from 20-yards out.
Sundowns doubled their advantage shortly after the break, as Leonardo Castro rifled home a left-footed strike from the edge of the area, 2-0.
The Brazilians were dealt a blow in the 65th minute when the in-form Castro picked up a knock and was forced off the field.
Mosimane's charges were then awarded a penalty in the 80th minute when Herve Lomboto brought down Billiat in the box, with the goalkeeper being shown a straight red for the challenge.
However, Anthony Laffor stepped up and saw his spot-kick saved by the Leopards substitute goalkeeper.
Nonetheless, the score remained 2-0 to Sundowns at the full-time, as they take a healthy lead into next week's second leg.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, Mbekile, Langerman, Soumahoro, Arendse, Kekana, Modise, Mashaba, Castro, Billiat, Dolly
