Downs overwhelm Congo minnows
Mamelodi Sundowns (4) 4 Otoho d’Oyo (0) 0 GOALS: Mamelodi Sundowns: Gaston Sirino (15m, pen and 35m), Mosa Lebusa (25m), Themba Zwane (40m)
● For most parts of the first half, Mamelodi Sundowns picked apart the modest Otoho d’Oyo side from Congo Brazzaville with precision and the ruthlessness of trained snipers.
The score ended on 4-0 and 5-2 on aggregate but the Brazilians could have buried the visitors in an avalanche had they converted some of the good chances they created.
This convincing Caf Champions League preliminary round victory was secured through goals by Mosa Lebusa, Themba Zwane and a brace by Gaston Sirino in the first half in which they dominated.
Sundowns came into this game after a surprise 2-1 loss to d’Otoho in the first leg but they left nothing to chance as they negotiated their passage to the first round in which they play Cote d’Or of Seychelles for a place in the group stages next month.
Confidence
Though they could not find the net in the second half, they take confidence to their match against Bloemfontein Celtic in the Absa Premiership on Wednesday at the Dr Molemela Stadium.
Pitso Mosimane did not have the services of suspended captain Hlompho Kekana and he opted for Andile Jali to partner Rivaldo Coetzee and he returned a solid performance.
Sundowns took the lead from a well taken penalty by Sirino after the visiting goalkeeper Clovis Ikossie was adjudged to have hacked Lebohang Maboe in the box.
They increased their advantage when defender Mosa Lebusa tapped into an empty net after he was set up by Sibusiso Vilakazi.
The best moment of the match came after 33 minutes from the educated right foot of Sirino, who registered his second of the night with a stupendous long range curling shot that gave Ikossie no chance.
The fourth goal came from Themba Zwane after a pass from Vilakazi.
Victory came at a cost as Mosimane may not have defender Thapelo Morena for Celtic. He was replaced in the 19th minute by Anele Ngcongca with a serious hamstring injury.