Sundowns enjoy Champions League cruise in Burundi

Mamelodi Sundowns have one leg in the group stage of the CAF Champions League following a 4-0 win over Burundian top-flight facet Bumamuru at Azam Complex Stadium in Tanzania on Friday.

Lucas Ribeiro grabbed a primary half brace as The Brazilians went into the break main 3-0, with Lesiba Nku getting the opposite objective.

The recreation was performed at a impartial venue as Bumamuru’s house floor doesn’t adjust to CAF’s necessities to host inter-club matches.

Ribeiro put Sundowns in entrance 12 minutes into the sport from the penalty spot. He doubled his facet’s lead eight minutes earlier than the break.

Nku joined in the celebration to important kill the tie as a contest in opposition to Bumamuru who have been making their champions league debut in opposition to the 2016 champions.

The left-footed Brazilian practically accomplished his hat-trick on his champions league debut however he was denied by the crossbar three minutes after the interval.

Rulani Mokwena welcomed again deadly striker Peter Shalulile who made a goalscoring return from damage after coming off the bench to seize his facet’s fourth.

The Namibian’s return comes on the proper time, forward of powerful encounters in opposition to Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in their subsequent two matches. He was desperately missed in their final encounter in opposition to Amakhosi the place their blunt assault wanted a late equaliser from defender Khuliso Mudau.

Before the match, Aubrey Modiba referred to as on his teammates to not underestimate Bumamuru they usually produced a scientific efficiency to take the ascendancy in opposition to the Burundian Premier League champions.

The opposition is normally weaker at this stage of the competitors. The Brazilians annihilated Seychelles outfit La Passe 15-1 on combination final season.

The return leg of the preliminary second spherical shall be performed two weeks from now. Sundowns are anticipated to safe a spot in the group stage of the competitors the place they’ll come in opposition to stiffer opponents.

Captain Zwane returns

Inspirational captain Themba Zwane began the sport after recovering from a concussion he suffered in their final recreation – in the method he missed out on Bafana Bafana’s worldwide friendlies in opposition to Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Masandawana will tackle the Buccaneers at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday after which flip their consideration to a different cup competitors after they battle Chiefs in the second leg of their MTN8 semifinal with the winner set to contest the ultimate. They maintain an away objective benefit from the primary leg that ended in a 1-1 draw earlier than the FIFA worldwide break.