Mamelodi Sundowns will take a comfortable lead into their Caf Champions League second leg after trashing Cote d’Or 5-0 in the first leg on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
The Brazilians advanced to this round of the continental tournament after securing a 5-2 aggregate victory over Congolese side Otoho d’Oyo in the previous round.
Meanwhile, Côte d’Or came into this encounter on the away goal rule after playing out to a 3-3 aggregate draw with Comoros outfit Fomboni FC.
Sundown got off to the perfect start after Tiyani Mabunda found the back of the net with a header in the fifth minute.
Sibusiso Vilakazi had a chance to double their lead six minutes later but saw his effort sail wide of target.
Sundowns had another chance to make it 2-0 in the 19th minute, but Sphelele Mkhulise lacked the composure in the final third to put the ball into the net.
Mkhulise once again should’ve come close to scoring after the 28th minute but blazed his effort wide of goal.
Pitso Mosimane’s side continued to press forward in search of a second goal as they dominated proceedings.
The sides went into the break with the score 1-0 in favour of Sundowns.
The home side showed their intent early in the second half but Wayne Arendse made a vital clearance off the line to deny the Côte d’Or frontman, who managed to get around Reyaad Pieterse.
The Côte d’Or keeper was called into action in the 58th minute when he made a great save to deny Oupa Manyisa’s effort from distance.
The visitors’ persistence paid off and they doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Lyle Lakay got on to the end of a great cross to head the ball into the net.
Sundowns scored their fourth goal in the 74th minute when Mabunda unleashed a powerful strike from distance to find the top corner.
Pieterse came to his side’s rescue seven minutes later, coming out quickly to clear the danger after the Côte d’Or frontman broke through on goal.
Mosimane made his first substitution of the game after 80 minutes when he withdrew Tebogo Langerman for Lebohang Maboe.
The visitors put the game to bed four minutes later when Arendse scored a real striker’s goal to find the bottom corner.
Sundowns managed to hold on to their comfortable four-goal lead over Côte d’Or until the final whistle ahead of the second leg.
