Mamelodi Sundowns joined AmaZulu in the CAF Champions League group stages after defeating Maniema Union 2-0 in the second leg of their second preliminary round tie.
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Maniema Union (4-2 on aggregate)
Date: 24 October 2021
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
Lyle Lakay, Grant Kekana and Themba Zwane came back into the Sundowns line-up after missing the win over Golden Arrows while defender Rushine de Reuck missed out once again.
After bagging two away goals in the first leg, Sundowns nearly got the early after seven minutes but Peter Shalulile saw his header cleared off the line.
The hosts did go on to bag the opening goal on 22 minutes in spectacular fashion courtesy of an impressive free-kick from Lakay that arrowed into the top corner.
Sundowns could have grabbed a second goal 10 minutes before the break when Thabiso Kutumela sent Sibusiso Vilakazi through on goal, but the latter was unable to find a way past the goalkeeper.
Sundowns quickly asserted their dominance at the start of the second half, as Shalulile doubled the lead eight minutes after pouncing on a defensive error to fire home.
The South African champions continued to dominate as the second stanza went on, with Shalulile going close to finding a third goal in the 62nd minute but his effort sailed just wide.
With Sundowns comfortably lead, the Sundowns co-coaches opted for a double change for the final 14 minutes as Shalulile and Kutumela made way for Kermit Erasmus and Neo Maema.
Sundowns were home and dry in the latter stages of the half as they comfortably move on to the group stages with a 4-2 aggregate win.
Sundowns: D.Onyango, Coetzee, Lakay, Lebusa, Mudau, G. Kekana, Jali, Vilakazi, Kuutumela, Zwane, Shalulile.
Subs: Pieterse, Mkhulise, B.Onyango, Safranko, Maema, Morena, Erasmus, Modiba, Domingo.
