Mamelodi Sundowns took a big a lead in their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie after defeating Bumamuru FC 4-0 in the first leg on Friday afternoon.
CAF Champions League
Result: Bumamuru 0-4 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 15 September 2023
Venue: Azam Complex Stadium
Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams recovered from illness that ruled him out for Bafana Bafana on Tuesday and was back in the Brazilians' line-up with captain Themba Zwane, while last season's top scorer Peter Shalulile was named on the bench.
Rulani Mokwena was still without the services of a handful of players due to injury, including new Thapelo Maseko, Thapelo Morena, Neo Maema and Moroccan defender Abdelmounaim Boutouil.
The South African outfit got off to a promising start after being awarded a penalty for a handball in the box, which allowed Lucas Ribeiro to step up and slot home his first goal in the competition.
While Williams was not called into serious action between the sticks, Sundowns went on to double their lead in the eight minutes before the interval, with Ribeiro completing his brace on the day.
The visitors were not done in the first half after Lesiba Nku, who starred for Marumo Gallants in the Confederation Cup last season, got his name on the scoresheet a few minutes later to cap off a dominant opening stanza.
The Brazilians have been particularly good on the road in continental action, as they were unbeaten in their last six away matches coming into the encounter, with their last defeat coming against Petro de Luanda in 2022.
With Sundowns leading by three clear goals, Mokwena opted to ring the changes at the midway point as Lebohang Maboe, Khuliso Mudau, Bongani Zungu and Shalulile were thrown into the fray for the final 20 minutes.
It didn't take long for Shalulile to make his presence felt after the Namibian striker got his name on the scoreheet with ten minutes left on the clock to round off a big win on the road.
Mokwena's charges will be action in DStv Premiership action on Wednesday evening against rivals Orlando Pirates before the second leg in two weeks time.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Kekana, Mashego, Lebusa, Coetzee, Mokoena, Aubaas, Mendieta, Zwane, Nku, RibeiroSubs: Pieterse, B.Onyango, Mudau, Modiba, Zungu, Mkulise, Mbule, Maboe, Shalulile
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