Goals from Leonardo Castro and wayne Arendse saw Mamelodi Sundowns claim a 2-1 home victory over Enyimba in the CAF Champions League on Wednesday night.
The win moves Sundowns to three points from one match, level with Zamalek at the top of the table and leaves the Nigerian champions Enyimba with a mountain to climb if they are to qualify with zero points from two games.
The victory was deserved for the home side, but they were made to work hard for it.
Teko Modise ws absent from the squad due to flu, but otherwise it was a largely tried and trusted selection by coach Pitso Mosimane.
Thabo Nthethe had a big chance with a free-header at the back post early on, before Enyimba went up the other end and burly forward Ifeanyi Onuigbo forced a fine save from Wayne Sandilands.
After a half of few chances, Castro had Sundowns in the lead on 42 minutes as Keagan Dolly’s low cross was not dealt with and the Colombian forward bundled the ball home.
But after a spell of pressure, Enyimba were level just before the hour-mark when Moses Ojo unleashed a thunderous strike from 35-yards after a needless corner was conceded by Sundowns.
Sandilands rather flapped at the cross and it fell to Ojo, who hit a stunning volley.
The home side were back in front on 78 minutes as Arendse’s shot at the back post was half-stopped by Enyimba goalkeeper Moses Ocheje, with the assistant referee correctly calling the ball had crossed the line.
Sundowns were able to comfortably see out the remainder of the game and march on to a semifinal spot in the three-team group.
Rheece Evans made his first appearance for Sundowns since December 2014 when he came on in injury-time for Asavela Mbekile.
TEAMS
Sundowns: Sandilands, Mbekile (Evans 90′), Nthethe, Arendse, Langerman, Mabunda (S. Zwane 74′), Kekana, T Zwane (Malajila 73′), Dolly, Billiat, Castro. Subs: Ngobeni, S Zwane, Evans, Moriri, Ngele,
Enyimba: Ocheje, Ojo, Akas, Kester, Anyanwu, Anaezemba, Ibenegbu (Udoh 54′) [Osadiaye 83′], Pyagbara, Onuigbo (Onyekachi 57′), Etor, Udoji. Subs: Afelokhai, Ugwu, Thankgod, Abdulrazak
