Sundowns edge Enyimba in Atteridgeville
Mamelodi Sundowns beat Enyimba 2-1 in a 2016 CAF Champions League Group B clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville yesterday evening.
Victory for the Brazilians get their campaign off to a winning start; after their 2-0 win over ES Setif in Algeria was chalked off.
Defeat for Enyimba leaves them with a lot to do as they now have to wait until August for their next clash - away to Zamalek.
With so much to play for, a cagey start was to be expected with both teams relying on the counterattack.
Sundowns showed in Algeria earlier this month that they are deadly on the counter and after Keagan Dolly burst forward; Khama Billiat saw his powerful shot whistle past the post.
Enyimba, though, needed to win following their 1-0 defeat to Zamalek in Port Harcourt last week and went close through a counter of their own on 13 minutes.
Ifeanyi Onuigbo brilliantly denied by Wayne Sandilans, who continued the good form he showed in Algeria earlier this month - in place of the suspended Denis Onyango.
Chances were at a premium for the rest of the half, but with three minutes before the break Leonardo Castro toed him home the opener following a blistering run into the area by Dolly.
Enyimba pulled level through Oluwadamilare Ojo on 59 minutes, after Sundowns failed to clear their lines from a cornerkick - the People’s Elephant midfielder rifled home the equaliser via the inside of the crossbar.
The visitors were on top and looked sure to grab all three points, but Sundowns regained their momentum and scored the winner through Wayne Arendse in the 78th minute. The Brazilian defender guiding the ball into the net at the back post.
With Enyimba tiring, Sundowns saw out the rest of the game with relative ease as they moved a step closer to reaching the knockout stages.