Mamelodi Sundowns’ dream of success on the continent gained momentum last night.
The PSL champions shrugged off the challenge of Nigerian giants Enyimba FC in the CAF Champions League Group B clash last night. Leonardo Castro and Wayne Arendse scored in each half to garner maximum points for the Brazilians, whose chances of making the semi-finals of the competition are alive and well. Sundowns are now on top of Group B while Zamalek are second and Enyimba in the basement.
As expected the first half was more of a tussle. The visitors imposed themselves, bullying Sundowns off the ball with flying tackles andThemba Zwane and Khama Billiat were fouled constantly. In what may have been deemed as an act of retaliation, Sundowns midfielder Tiyani Mabunda flew high to plant his foot on the face of Ifeanyi Onuigbo. For his efforts Mabunda was shown yellow.
Enyimba made it hard for the PSL champions to play their normal passing and possession game. They marked them tightly and roughly. When Sundowns got a chance to connect a number of touches, it looked promising. Sundowns also played long passes and it didn’t work out well for them as the Nigerians easily thwarted the danger. There was a breakthrough towards the end of the first half. Sundowns took the lead through Columbian marksman Castro, who was a beneficiary of a move that did not surprise many. Castro finished a move that saw Keagan Dolly and Billiat combine well with quick interchanges. The goal buoyed the home side and Sundowns tried to dominate the game.
Enyimba were giving as much as they were receiving. However Downs keeper Wayne Sandilands put in a decent shift and kept the home side in the game. Sandilands did not get much protection from his colleagues. Sundowns committed one of the worst crimes in that they conceded an away goal. The goal came from an area that Pitso Mosimane cautioned his men about. Enyimba had a corner floated into the box and Sandilands’ clearance fell onto the path of Oluwandamilare Ojo’s and the defender fired a rasping shot that found the back of the net.
Sundowns never gave up as the searched for the goal that would put them back on top. They came close when Asavela Mbekile raced down the right and he put in a pin-point cross to find Castro but the striker’s goalbound header was tipped over the bar by keeper Moses Ocheje. Mosimane’s men were relentless and were rewarded. Defender Arendse scoring from a goal mouth scramble.
With Sundowns having regained their lead, the home crowd found their voice over the brass band from the section of the fans where the flag of Nigeria dominated. Sundowns defended with their all as they managed to get three points and look destined to make it to the semi-finals. – The Star