CAF Champions League
Result: Mamleodi Sundowns 4-0 Al-Ahli Benghazi (4-0 agg.)
Date: 22 December 2018
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
Mamelodi Sundowns secured a spot in the CAF Champions League group stages after thumping Al Ahli Benghazi 4-0 in the second leg of their first-round tie.
Jeremy Brockie almost opened the scoring for the Brazilians in the 13th minute with a strike that hit the upright after Gaston Sirino delivered a floating ball into the box.
Pitso Mosimane's charges were playing at a high intensity towards the 20th minute showing intent to get an early goal, while Al-Ahli Benghazi were staying compact at the back but there were signs that they could crack with more persistent attacking from the hosts.
Ricardo Nascimento had the best chance of the game for the Tshwane giants in the 31st minute with a header inside the box that hit the woodwork.
Sirino finally found the breakthrough for Masandawana ten minutes before time with a clinical strike at the far post after he was sent through by Anthony Laffor.
Laffor had an opportunity to double the lead for Mosimane's men six minutes before the break after combining with Sirino, but he got under his strike and it sailed over the bar.
Brockie eventually made it 2-0 for Sundowns two minutes before the break with a strike that took a deflection off a Ah Ahli defender on its way into the back of the net.
Laffor made it 3-0 for Sundowns five minutes into the second stanza with a sublime finish into the bottom corner after showing good control in the build-up. The combination of Sirino and Laffor was brilliant for the Brazilians after the hour-mark as Sundowns looked to get the fourth goal. Mosimane made his first change in the 67th minute after bringing on Jose Ali Meza in place of goalscorer Brockie. Meza made the perfect impact as he bagged Sundowns' fourth goal nine minutes before time with a fine individual effort after holding off two Al Ahli defenders,. With the tie virtually over, the Brazilians rested captain Hlompho Kekana in the last seven minutes and brought on Oupa Manyisa in his place. In the end, 4-0 was the how the encounter ended as the Brazilians progressed to the group stage phase. Here's how they lined up: Sundowns: Mweene, Lakay, Nascimento, Arendse, Morena, Mabunda, Kekana, Maboe, Sirino, Laffor, Brockie. Subs: Pieterse, Meza, Langerman, Mahlambi, Manyisa, Madisha, Silva.
