Caf Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 TP Mazembe – Masandawana reach quarter-finals
The Brazilians completed a double over their Congolese visitors to maintain a 100 percent record at this stage of the campaign
A Lebohang Maboe strike in the first half saw Mamelodi Sundowns qualify for the quarter-finals of the Caf Champions League after sealing a 1-0 win over Tout Puissant Mazembe in a Group B showdown at Loftus Versfeld.
Having claimed a 2-1 away victory in the reverse fixture in Lubumbashi, Sundowns asserted their dominance over Mazembe this season with Maboe making a difference this time following his 28th minute strike.
The result saw the Brazilians opening an unassailable nine point lead after other Group C contestants Al Hilal and CR Belouizdad draw earlier in the day.
With Masandawana defender Ricardo Nascimento suspended, Mosa Lebusa partnered Rushine De Reuck at the heart of defence while Mazembe’s veteran forward Tresor Mputu who came on as a substitute to score in the first leg started on Wednesday.
Peter Shalulile began the match as a big threat to Mazembe, coming close twice in the opening five minutes.
But from then, play went balanced between the two sides and soon after, the visitors almost made a breakthrough when Phillippes Kinzumbi had his long range effort saved by Denis Onyango who was also alert to an awkward bounce the shot took just before him.
Kinzumbi was back again in the 16th minute and Onyango safely collected before Mosa Lebusa cleared danger following another Mazembe counter attack two minutes later.
Sundowns thought they had won a penalty in the 20th minute when Shalulile was tackled from behind in the box but the Namibian was adjudged to have had already received the ball from Gaston Sirino while in an offside position.
The Brazilians then broke then deadlock eight minutes later when Zwane laid the ball for Maboe who coolly slotted it in as Mazembe goalkeeper Ibrahim Mounkoro helplessly watched the ball sailing in.
The visitors attempted to hit back on 33 minutes but Mputu shot was well-dealt with by Onyango.
A Sirino curler went just wide off a Shalulile feed four minutes before half time as Sundowns looked close to doubling their advantage.
At the other end, a minute later, Mputu saw his powerful low strike narrowly missing target as the hosts went for the break leading.
Six minutes after the restart, Mazembe substitute nearly Sudi Bibonge nearly restored parity but had his goal-bound shot deflected by Lyle Lakay.
Shalulile was then released by Sirino but was slow in his charge towards goal and was dispossessed as he faced Mounkoro.
As the Ravens pressed for an equaliser, Onyango was on hand to thwart a close range shot from Joel Beya on the hour mark.
With Shalulile having established himself as good in the air following a number of headed goals this season, he however twice misdirected his headed efforts within a minute towards the end.
Even some Mazembe spirited attacking there after was met with stiff resistance by Sundowns who managed to hold on the lead.
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