Mamelodi Sundowns secured a 2-0 victory over AC Leopards in their CAF Champions League first-round clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday night.
Mamelodi Sundowns 2 - 0 AC Leopards (Lucas Moripe Stadium)Keagan Dolly (45)
Leonardo Castro (46)
Pitso Mosimane named his strongest line-up, featuring star trio Leonardo Castro, Khama Billiat and Keagan Dolly, while Bangaly Soumahoro slotted in in central defence to accomodate Teko Modise alongside Hlompho Kekana in midfield.
But Dolly produced a moment of brilliance in the 45th minute to give Pitso Mosimane's side a deserved lead, picking up a loose ball outside the box and stylishly bending a left-footed shot into the top-left corner. Fabulous technique.
Sundowns picked up where they left off at the start of the second half and went 2-0 up with another excellent long-range strike, this time Castro receiving a clever aerial back-flick from Billiat before composing himself and unleashing a dipping, left-footed shot into the top-left corner.
Downs could have gone 3-0 up in the 87th minute when Billiat was clattered on the edge of the area by goalkeeper Herve Lomboto, who was shown a straight red card for the challenge following a great long-ball from Denis Onyango.
Sundowns XI: Onyango, Mbekile, Arendse, Soumahoro, Langerman, Kekana, Modise, Mashaba, Dolly, Billiat, Castro
Subs: Mweene, S. Zwane, Malajila, T. Zwane, Mashego, Laffor
AC Leopards XI: Ngoe, Ndzana, Ngounga, Auzingoini, Bissiki, Kalema, Madila, Ndougsa, Ngouelou, Gandze, Babanda
