Sundowns thrash Seychelles minnows in Champions League
● Mamelodi Sundowns ran riot with five unanswered goals against Seychelles minnows Cote d’Or yesterday to put one foot firmly in the group stages of the Caf Champions League.
Sundowns opened the scoring at the State Linite through midfielder Tiyani Mabunda after five minutes but they had to wait until the 68th minute to increase their lead early through fullback Lyle Lakay.
Attacking midfielder Sphelele Mkhulise gave Sundowns firm control with a goal of his own two minutes after Lakay had inmatches, the lead, then Tiyani Mabunda claimed his second after 74 minutes and defender Wayne Arendse completed the rout.
With this emphatic victory, Sundowns have effectively wrapped up the tie because Cote d’Or will have to produce something out of the ordinary to overturn this huge deficit in the second leg in Pretoria.
Mosimane started with a number of players who have not played much in recent like goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse with Kennedy Mweene on the bench, and defenders Motjeka Madisha, Bangaly Soumahoro and Lyle Lakay.
In the midfield, he rested Themba Zwane and skipper Hlompho Kekana and opted for Andile Jali, Mabunda, Oupa Manyisa and Sphelele Mkhulise with Lebohang Maboe and Gaston Sirino on the bench.
The Brazilians will return home with their attention firmly set on the crucial MTN8 semifinal, second-leg clash against SuperSport United on Wednesday at Lucas Moripe Stadium that is tantalisingly poised on 1-1.
After the Tshwane derby Sundowns will return to the Absa Premiership to face Maritzburg United at home on Saturday where they will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Mosimane’s wholescale changes for this tie against Cote d’Or was to rest some of his regulars given the fact that they have two matches in four days this week in the MTN8 and the league.