CAF Champions League
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 ASEC Mimosas
Date: 01 February 2019
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Click through the gallery to see action from Sundowns' clash with ASEC.
Emiliano Tade marked his Mamelodi Sundowns debut with a goal as the Absa Premiership champions defeated ASEC Mimosas to move top of Group A in the CAF Champions League.
Pitso Mosimane made two changes from their 2-0 defeat to AmaZulu Tuesday, as Thapelo Morena and Lyle Lakay replaced Anele Ngcongca and Tebogo Langerman, while Tade had to settle for a spot on the bench.
Sundowns were rewarded for a good start as Mosa Lebusa powered home a header at the back post following some good work by Gaston Sirino on the left flank.
Lebusa then went from hero to villain five minutes later as he conceded a penalty after bringing down Salif Bagate in the box, which allowed Hamed Diomande to level matters with a thumping strike from 12-yards out.
The hosts did not sit back and went close to restoring their lead after 24 minutes when Lakay's clever free-kick was tipped around the post, while Wonlo Coulibaly sent a header wide of the mark from close range six minutes later.
Pitso Mosimane's charges were in control for most of the half, but they were unable to carve out another opening in the remaining stages of the stanza.
The home side came out firing in the second half as Anthony Laffor was denied by ASEC goalkeeper Abdoul Cisse, before Lebohang Maboe hit the crossbar with a header from point-blank range.
Sundowns were eventually rewarded for their dominance just before the hour as an impressive passing move ended with Themba Zwane turning home a cross from Lakay as the ASEC defence was cut wide open.
The search for more goals continued for Mosimane's troops as Hlompho Kekana cracked the underside of the crossbar with an effort from distance while Laffor saw his close range effort cleared off the line with 15 minutes remaining.
With seven minutes left in the half, Mosimane handed a debut to Tade, who replaced Laffor while Maboe made way for Ngcongca Maboe in a tactical switch.
Tade managed to cap off his debut with a goal as the Argentine latched onto an impressive pass from Zwane before calmly slotting into the far corner to round off an impressive win, which sees Sundowns move top of Group A.
Here's how they started:
Sundowns: Onyango, Morena, Nascimento, Lebusa, Lakay, Kekana, Mabunda, Laffor (Tade 83'), Zwane, Maboe (Ngcongca 83'), Sirino.
Subs: Mweene, Langerman, Tade, Ngcongca, Mahlambi, Coetzee, Mkhulise.
