CAF Champions League
Result: Zamalek 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 17 July 2016
Venue: Petro Sport Stadium
Goals from Tiyani Mabunda and Khama Billiat handed Mamelodi Sundowns a 2-1 win over Zamalek in their CAF Champions League Group stage clash.
Sundowns registered the first meaningful effort of the game after nine minutes, when Hlompho Kekana unleashed a venomous strike from 35-yards out, which forced Ahmed El-Shenawy into a fine save.
Zamalek should have taken the lead in the 14th minute when Wayne Arendse's error in the box fell to Ayman Hefny, who blazed over the crossbar.
Sundowns eventually broke the deadlock in the 17th minute. Billiat managed to break into the box, before striking the upright, however Tiyani Mabunda was on hand fire home the rebound with a composed finish, 1-0.
The Egyptians pushed for an equaliser and were rewarded in the 37th minute, as a mix-up between Denis Onyango and Thabo Nthethe allowed Mohamed Ibrahim to stab the ball home from the edge of the box, 1-1.
Zamalek certainly ended the half on a stronger note, although they were unable to carve out any clear-cut openings in the final stages of the opening half.
The hosts were dealt a blow shortly after the break when Ibrahim suffered a broken leg, after a challenge from Nthethe.
Pitso Mosimane opted for a change in the 55th minute, as he introduced Percy Tau for his Champions League debut, replacing Anthony Laffor.
The Brazilians went agonisingly close to restoring their lead 10 minutes later, as Leonardo Castro's acrobatic volley crashed against the upright with El-Shenawy well beaten.
Sundowns eventually regained the lead in the 67th minute, as Keagan Dolly did well to pick out Billiat, who controlled well before passing the ball into the bottom corner, 2-1.
Onyango endured a shaky first half, but redeemed himself in the 78th minute, as he pulled off a fine save to keep Sundowns in front.
However, Mosimane's charges managed to see off the late surge from Zamalek and claimed the victory, which sees them move three points clear at the top of Group B.
Here's how they lined-up:
Zamalek: El-Shenawy, Gomaa, Koffi, Gabr, Emam, Hamed, Tawfik, Emam, Hefny, Ibrahim, Shikabala, Morsy
Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, Zwane, Nthethe, Arendse, Langerman, Mabunda, Kekana, Laffor, Dolly, Billiat, Castro
