Mamelodi Sundowns have one foot in the next round of the CAF Champions League after thrashing La Passe 7-0 in the first leg of their second preliminary round tie on Sunday.
CAF Champions League
Result: La Passe 0-7 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 09 October 2022
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Denis Onyango was handed his first start of the season between the sticks, as Ronwen Williams was given a rest while Themba Zwane, Marcelo Allende and Gaston Sirino lined up in the attack.
The Brazilians got off to the perfect start when Grant Kekana opened his account for the campaign inside the first minute after being set up by Aubrey Modiba.
The hosts did not have to wait too long for the second goal as Sirino got his name on the scoresheet in the 13th minute with a close-range finish in the box.
The third goal arrived six minutes later, with Mothobi Mvala getting his first goal as the home side looked to get out of sight in the opening 20 minutes already.
Sundowns had the ball in the back of the net for a fourth time in the 33rd minute when Allende nodded home a cross but the goal was surprisingly ruled out for offside, even though replays showed the midfielder was onside.
The fourth goal did arrive five minutes before the halftime break when Modiba got in on the act with a powerful effort from just inside the box, before Sirino completed his brace a couple minutes later with a neat first-time finish.
Sundowns carried that dominance into the second half and had the ball in the back of the net minutes after the restart, but Sphelele Mkhulise's strike was ruled out for offside.
The hosts then decided to ring the changes as Bongani Zungu, Cassius Mailula, Thapelo Morena and Sipho Mbule were all given a run for the final 35 minutes.
Mbule made the most of his opportunity after firing home the home side's sixth goal of the day and his first for the club four minutes after his arrival.
The South African champions continued to play their attacking game and were rewarded with a seventh goal with four minutes left on the clock when some persistence by Mailula ended with Mkhulise slotting home from six-yards out to wrap up a good win.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: D.Onyango, Modiba, Mudua, Kekana, De Reuck, Mvala, Mkhulise, Mokoena, Zwane, Allende, Sirino.
Subs: Mweene, Morena, Mbule, Mailula, Lebusa, Zungu, Motupa, Maema, Kutumela.
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