Khama Billiat scored the winning goal as Mamelodi Sundowns stunned Zamalek 2-1 in the Caf Champions League Group B game played at the Petro Sport Stadium in Cairo on Sunday night.
The Brazilians of South Africa cemented their lead at the top of Group B log with six points, while Egypt’s White Knights remain second with three points.
Sundowns midfielder Hlompho Kekana tried his luck from at least 35-yards out in the ninth minute, but Zamalek goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shenawy did well to palm the strike away from goal.
However, the visitors did break the deadlock in the nineteenth minute when Tiyani Mabunda beat El-Shenawy with a neat finish into the bottom corner to make it 1-0 to Sundowns; silencing the home fans in the process.
In the 23rd minute, Mahmoud Abdel Razek Fadlallah, who is better known as Shikabala, had a chance to restore parity for Zamalek from a free-kick, but his attempt was well-saved by Sundowns keeper Denis Onyango.
Following a spell of sustained pressure, the White Knights leveled matters eight minutes before half-time when a lofted long ball was not dealt with by Sundowns duo Thabo Nthethe and Onyango – Mohamed Ibrahim pounced to make it 1-1.
Uganda international Onyango produced a good save following a Zamalek corner-kick nine minutes after the restart as the White Knights launched early attacks in the opening stages of the second-half.
However, Sundowns were unfortunate not restore their lead a few minutes after the hour-mark as Leonardo Castro and Khama Billiat were brilliantly denied by El-Shenawy.
In the 67th minute, El-Shenawy was eventually beaten by Zimbabwean forward Billiat, who received the ball inside the Zamalek box before applying a left-footed finish to make it 2-1 to Sundowns.
Zamalek head coach Mohammed Helmy responded by pulling out Basem Morsi for former Southampton forward Emmanuel Mayuka as the home side went in search of a late equaliser.
With seven minutes left on the clock, Hazem Emam played a great cross into the Sundowns box for his Zamalek teammate Mayuka at the far-post, but Siyanda Zwane did well to head the ball away from danger.
Sundowns managed to contain Zamalek in the dying minutes of the Group B encounter and the as they walked away 2-1 winners on the night.
