Even though the game was delayed by 30 minutes because of a match official who was trying to pull a Jomo Sono by arriving late at the match, the Brazilians still danced their way into the group stages of the 2020/21 CAF Champions League after defeating Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana 3-1 on the day and thus leaving them with a 5-1 aggregate score.
Sundowns went into this CAFCL second leg match with just three changes from the starting lineup that picked up three points against Orlando Pirates in the DStv Premiership over the weekend. Denis Onyango, Khuliso Mudau and Rivaldo Coetzee made way from the starting lineup whilst Kennedy Mweene, Andile Jali and Kermit Erasmus were the “new” men in the team.
The game started slowly as both teams took forever to get off the blocks but it was Mamelodi Sundowns who eventually drew first blood on the 39th minute, even though it was via an own goal. Erasmus had an opportunity to double his team’s lead before the break but he hit the upright and his teammates were also unable to capitalise on that opportunity.
The home side got off to a flying start in the second half and were awarded a penalty, but the Jwaneng Galaxy keeper saved it and denied Downs an opportunity to double their lead. Sundowns did eventually get to double their lead on the 68th minute of the game as Mothobi Mvala headed home from a cross which was delivered by Maphosa Modiba. 9 minutes before the end of the game, Mkhulise and Makgalwa combined well to put Thapelo Morena through and the Right Back stretched the Sundowns lead to 3-0.
Jwaneng Galaxy got their consolation goal in the dying stages of the game but that was not enough to turn around the tie and they’re now relegated to the CAF Confederations Cup.
The three goals on the day for downs were enough to ensure that they go through to the group stages. Mamelodi Sundowns have now qualified for the CAF Champions League group stages for six straight seasons.
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