Sundowns demolish Cote d’Or in fine style
Michaelson Gumede
Mamelodi Sundowns reduced what was meant to be a competitive football match into what looked more like an exhibition game as they demolished Seychelles outfit Cote d’Or in the second-leg of the Caf Champions League first round last night, scoring 11 goals to win the overall tie 16-1 on aggregate.
Sundowns looked like scoring from the moment referee Mohammed Ali blew his whistle to signal the kick-off at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, where they advanced to the group stages of the competition.
First to rattle the net was Themba Zwane, who opened the floodgates within the first nine minutes. 10 minutes later, Gaston Sirino registered his name on the score-sheet before Sibusiso Vilakazi (below) scored the first of his three goals. Vilakazi netted his first goal in the 21st minute, went on to net his second three minutes later, before the Bafana Bafana international completed his hat-trick in the 39th minute.
That was not all Downs had to offer before the end of the first half as winger Thapelo Morena scored before the break.
In the second stanza, Sundowns picked up where they left off. It was defender Motjeka Madisha who resumed the party in the second half when he converted from close range just two minutes after the start. His defensive partner Anele Ngcongca – who came on for injured Siphelele Mkhulise in the first-half – also joined in the fun in the 57th minute.
Zwane then made it eight in the 74th minute before Sirino scored the ninth goal. Sirino’s last contribution before he was substituted was when he forced in an own goal in the 77th minute.
The Uruguayan was withdrawn in the place of new striker Mauricio Affonso, who scored on his debut for the club. Cote d’Or did, however, get a consolation goal in the 79th minute.