Mamelodi Sundowns thrashed Bumamuru FC 4-0 in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie on Friday afternoon.
Star midfielder Themba Zwane, who was stretchered off against Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8 semi-finals two weeks ago, was back in the side, while Ronwen Williams was also named in the starting line-up.
The early passage of play saw the Brazilians hold the dominance and took the lead on 12 minutes when Lucas Ribeiro Costa slotted in from the penalty spot following a hand-ball in the area by the home team.
Masandawana were keen to grab complete control of the clash a little before the half-hour mark but a cleverly worked angled shot from Junior Mendieta rolled narrowly wide.
Sundowns did though get a second goal in the final eight minutes to halftime courtesy of a decent finish Ribeiro Costa, who grabbed his brace in the process.
The Brazilians bagged a third goal over four minutes to the break when Lesiba Nku found a yard of space in the area and tucked in perfectly.
Bumamuru continued chasing shadows after halftime and could’ve conceded again when a strong effort in the area from Ribeiro cracked the crossbar and denied him a first hat-trick for Masandawana.
However, the Brazilians didn’t push too many numbers forward after a dominant opening half and in fact needed interventions from the likes of Terrence Mashego to keep the host at bay.
Coach Rulani Mokwena made four changes from Masandawana came after 70 minutes played, as Lebohang Maboe, Peter Shalulile, Khuliso Mudau and Bongani Zungu entered the field.
Shalulile needed only ten minutes to make his presence felt after he managed to sneak in the area to hand the Brazilians a fourth goal.
The DStv Premiership champions comfortably saw out the final minutes and bagged a massive first-leg victory over their Burundian counterparts.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns:Williams, Kekana, Mashego, Lebusa, Coetzee, Mokoena, Aubaas, Mendieta, Zwane, Nku, Ribeiro
Subs: Pieterse, B.Onyango, Mudau, Modiba, Zungu, Mkulise, Mbule, Maboe, Shalulile
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