Downs’ easy romp
On to the next round... Huffing Leones effortlessly put to sword at Loftus
Mamelodi Sundowns unleashed an avalanche of goals on a hapless Leones Vegetarianos with a 5-1 thrashing to advance to the pre-group stage round in the CAF Champions League last night.
The former African champs secured a 7-1 aggregate win over two legs and now have one last hurdle to overcome to qualify for the group stages for what would be a record fourth consecutive year in the competition.
Sundowns will face Libyan club Ahli Benghazi in the next round starting next weekend, with the away leg certain to take place in a neutral venue. With their vast experience in this competition, Sundowns knew that what was expected of them was not an eye-catching performance but a professional one.
The Tshwane side believe in scoring early, and so they did as Jeremy Brockie found the net in the fourth minute. They had now changed into a higher gear when the second goal came through the penalty spot. Gaston Sirino converted the spot kick after Brockie won the penalty in the 18th minute.
By the time the teams went into the interval, Sundowns had a comfortable 4-0 aggregate margin.
The Guineas had their highlight of the two legs in the 47th minute with a superb goal from Seydou Sall. Martin Nguema delivered a long pass to Sall, who ran at the Sundowns defence, beating Mosa Lebusa, before finding the net past Kennedy Mweene.
That moment of brilliance was the only consolation for the club whose name translates into “the vegetarian lions”.
It was not long before the home side regained control of the match again with a third goal from their ever dependable skipper Hlompho Kekana. The midfielder scored a signature Kekana goal in the 56th minute with a thunderous left-footed rocket. Venezuelan striker Ali Meza bagged his first goal in Sundowns colours in the 61st minute after 11 appearances in all competitions. Wing-back Lyle Lakay rounded up the win with a strike in the 87th minute in the emphatic home win.