Mamelodi Sundowns progressed to the CAF Champions League knockout stage with a 2-0 victory away to FC Nouadhibou on Saturday evening.
Teboho Mokoena, Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba and Themba Zwane returned for the Brazilians following a stellar Africa Cup of Nations with Bafana Bafana.
Kekana marked his return in style when he latched onto Marcelo Allende’s curling free-kick into the area and finished from point-blank range.
Tampers though looked to boil over a little later as the host committed a strong challenge around the area which led to a free-kick, but Modiba didn’t make use of the set-play.
Sundowns were denied a second goal minutes to halftime when Mokoena robbed possession high-up to unleash a shot which was cleared off the line with the follow-up from Peter Shalulile smothered too.
In the second half, Nouadhibou looked to pull level through a quick opening but timeous intervention from Mosa Lebusa kept the Brazilians well in control.
Allende came inches close with a first-time effort after combining with Shalulile a few minutes later, but a dramatic save from Mamoudou M’bodj thwarted the Chilean midfielder.
Allende continued to be a menace through telling off-the-ball runs and incisive forward passes which strengthened the Brazilians’ strong-hold on proceedings.
Coach Rhulani Mokwena named a trio of changes, as new signings Matias Esquivel, Thembinkosi Lorch and Lucas Ribeiro came on the park.
Lorch laid down the marker in added time when he rounded M’bodji to have the goal in plain sight and profited to see them to victory and into the knockout stages as well.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mebusa, Kekana, Modiba, Lunga, Zungu, Mokoena, Allende, Zwane, Sirino, Shalulile
Subs: D.Onyango, Mdunyelwa, Lorch, Boutouil, Esquivel, Ribeiro, Mbule, Matthews, Maboe
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