Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns qualified for the second round of the Confederation of African Football’s Champions League at a canter in beating Royal Leopards 2-0 in a second-leg, first-round game at the Somhlolo Stadium on the outskirts of Mbabane, Swaziland, on Sunday afternoon.
The Brazilians won the first-leg 4-2 and thereby qualified for the next round on a 6-2 aggregate.
A goalless first half was played in oppressive heat of over 30 degrees Celsius, with Sundowns keeping it tight and ensuring the home team would not make inroads and improve on their two-goal deficit from the first-leg.
With an aggregate victory seemingly in the bag, Sundowns became more adventurous in the second half and opened the score through Lerato Chabangu in the 62nd minute.
Venezuelan international striker Jose Torrealba, who played for his country in mid-week and only joined up with the Brazilians in Swaziland on Saturday, was replaced by Peter Ndlovu soon after the opening goal.
Ndlovu squandered several golden opportunities before finally making the score 2-0 in the 83rd minute. — Sapa