Mamelodi Sundowns cruised into the first-round of the African Champions League after beating Lesotho’s Likhopo FC 3-0 in what ultimately turned into a desultory 10-man yawn at Loftus on Sunday afternoon.
The Brazilians’ undistinguished second-leg victory gave them an untroubled 4-0 aggregate success after Manqobo Ngwenya virtually sealed the issue as early as the fifth minute with the first of his two headed goals.
Although unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty shortly before half-time, Likhopo gave the impression they would need a month of Sundays to make up the deficit, with Jose Torrealba’s astute lobbed goal in the 52nd minute and the completion of Ngwenya’s brace three minutes later ending the proceedings as a meaningful contest.
Had it been a boxing match, the referee would surely have ended the proceedings there and then, declared Sundowns winners by a tko and saved the small crowd from further punishment.
Instead, the game meandered on aimlessly and produced its own version of pugilism in the 82nd minute when Sundowns’ Jabu Mendu and Likhopo’s Lereko Matsipa exchanged blows and were both sent off.
Although at no stage in danger of defeat, and demonstrating some elegant touches in the opening 60 minutes, Sundowns’ management must have been concerned by a continuation of the team’s chronic malaise of losing concentration while in control.
This loss of purpose has cost the Brazilians the lead in the Premier league title race and against more powerful opposition than Likhopo it might have cost them dearly again.
On the credit side, Ngwenya showed with his mesmerising skill that he is not being utilised sufficiently in the over-loaded Sundowns’ squad, which will now be marginally reduced because of what appeared Zimbabwe international Peter Ndlovu’s torn muscle injury against Likhopo. – Sapa