Downs through to Caf Champs League last-eight
● Mamelodi Sundowns have qualified for the quarterfinals of the Caf Champions Leagues for the sixth time in a row.
This after beating FC Nouadhibou 2-0 at the Stade de la Capitale in Mauritania last night, with Bafana Bafana defender Grant Kekana toe-poking the first in the 21st minute off Marcelo Allende’s free kick that the home side failed to deal with.
New Sundowns’ signing Thembinkosi Lorch, formerly of Orlando Pirates, opened his Masandawana account in the referee’s optional time, latching on a delightful pass from Teboho Mokoena to make it 2-0.
Rulani Mokoena’s team will finish their Group A matches at FNB Stadium on Saturday when they host TP Mazembe of DR Congo, the side on top of the group on goal difference and head to head.
Mazembe beat Egyptian side Pyramids FC 3-0 yesterday to ensure they remain on top of the group on 10 points alongside Sundowns.
Mokwena started the match with Ronwen Williams, Kekana, Aubrey Modiba, Themba Zwane and Mokoena — five of the 10 Sundowns players who were part of the Bafana Bafana team that played in the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Kekana ensured his team went to the break in the lead after he was left unmarked by a team that has struggled in this competition and will finish third if they win their last match against Pyramids on Saturday.
Sundowns dominated possession and could have gone to the break leading 3-0 if Mokoena and Peter Shalulile took their chances. The second half saw Sundowns pressing for more goals, and were unlucky to see Lucas Riberio’s strike ruled for offside in the 80th minute.
Lorch, though, made sure Sundowns go home with a comfortable victory after rounding off the goalkeeper to score Sundowns’ winning goal.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Petro de Luanda of Angola and Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast are the other sides who will play the last round having confirmed their place in the last-eight.