Mamelodi Sundowns got back to winning ways in the CAF Champions League after defeating Pyramids FC 1-0 on Tuesday night.
Sundowns recalled Ronwen Williams, Themba Zwane, Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro Costa following the win over Cape Town Spurs, while Pyramids had Fiston Mayele back after he missed the reverse outing due to visa problems.
Masandawana didn’t take long to settle and hit the front when a ferocious long-range shot by Teboho Mokoena around the 20th minute gave goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy no chance.
Williams in particular though was swiftly called into action before the half-hour mark as the host looked to draw level with the runs of Fagrie Lakay and Mayele posing a huge problem.
However, Mokoena's evening was cut short after picking up an injury and was replaced by Bongani Zungu with ten minutes left in the half.
Mayele looked to draw the host level after halftime with a looping header after attacking Mohamed Hamdy’s cross, but the effort didn’t cause Williams any problems.
Pyramids pushed forward again just a while past the brief threat and saw Lakay lash wide from a ball in before Mayele saw his probing attempt blocked.
The visitors swiftly re-gathered momentum and had a telling shot from Ribeiro Costa parried away by El Shenawy following Aubrey Modiba’s pass.
It was extremely quiet in the closing stages with very little clear penetrations on either side, as the Brazilians looked to preserve their lead.
Sundowns didn’t lose the advantage and kept firm to see out the win to remain on top of Group A after a brief slump.
Confirmed line-ups:
Pyramids: Mayob, Gabr, Sami, Chibi, Hamdy, Hafez, Lashin, Toure, Elkarti, Lakay, Mayele
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Coetzee, Modiba, Kekana, Mokoena, Mashego, Zwane, Allende, Shalulile, Ribeiro
Subs: D. Onyango, Zungu, Sirino, Mkhulise, Mbule, Morena, Maseko, Mvala, Maboe
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