CAF Champions League
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 Lobi Stars
Date: 09 March 2019
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
Mamelodi Sundowns qualified for the CAF Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over Nigeria's Lobi Stars on Saturday evening.
The Brazilians were eyeing revenge heading into the clash after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Stars in Nigeria in the opening group game in January.
Pitso Mosimane's troops got off to the perfect start as the returning Thapelo Morena latched onto Gaston Sirino's superb cross before firing firing a low effort past Olufemi Kayode.
The goal seemed to set the tone for the first half as Stars went close to scoring through Alimi Sikiru ten minutes later, although he was denied by Denis Onyango.
The chances fell for Sundowns as the first half went on but Morena and Lebohang Maboe were denied by the woodwork and Kayode repsectively.
Sundowns sprung into life in the latter stages of the half as Themba Zwane doubled the lead with a close-range finish in the 38th minute, before Maboe got in on the act by firing into the bottom corner a minute later to put Sundowns in a healthy position.
Mosimane was forced into a change at the start of the second half as Rivaldo Coetzee replaced Tiyani Mabunda, who picked up a knock.
Despite the Mabunda substitution, it was business as usual for Sundowns in the second half as Sirino and Maboe went close to adding to the lead inside in the opening 10 minutes of the stanza.
However, with Sundowns comfortably leading, Mosimane opted for a change with 20 minutes remaining as Anthonly Laffor was withdrawn for Lyle Lakay.
The Nigerian outfit went close to grabbing a consolation in the 76th minute through Sikiru, who sent a first-time volley just wide of Onynago's goal.
Sundowns pushed for more goals in the remaining stages of the half, but they were unable to convert the chances as the encounter ended 3-0 in their favour.
As a result, Mosimane's troops qualify for the last eight and move to the top of Group A, three points ahead of Wydad Casablanca.
Here's how they lined up:
Sundowns: 14. Onyango, 3. Nascimento, 6. Arendse, 27. Morena, 4. Langerman, 8. Kekana, 13. Mabunda (Coetzee 46'), 28. Laffor (Lakay 72'), 18. Zwane, 26. Sirino (Tade 82'), 15. Maboe.
Subs: 30. Pieterse, 2. Lebusa, 12. Lakay, 15. Tade, 17. Mahlambi, 19 Coetzee, 20 Manyisa.
Lobi Stars: 30. Kayode, 24. Lazarus, 11. Oahimijie, 23. Bashiru, 3. Duru, 18. Solomon, 26 Ojo, 12. Mbah (Ogunye 65'), 9. Sikiru, 14. Timileyin, 7. Kone.
Subs: 1. Stephen, 10. Tyavkase, 16. Lawrence, 19. Martin, 22. Timothy, 25. Ogunye
