South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns produced a masterclass performance on Saturday evening at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers, defeating hosts CR Belouizdad by a 4-1 score in the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarterfinal clash. Peter Shalulile provided two goals and an assist while Neo Maema and Cassius Mailula also scored in a dominant victory for Sundowns who overwhelmed their hosts at times. Sundowns are heavy favorites to advance to the semifinals ahead of the second leg at home in Pretoria next Saturday.
Sundowns had no issues adjusting to their environment and punished a sluggish start from the hosts. Teboho Mokoena’s corner kick from the right flank in the 6th minute floated to the far side where Aubrey Modiba collected and provided a perfect cross to Shalulile, who was somehow left unmarked to head past CRB goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz. The home supporters were stunned further into silence in the 20th minute when Neo Maema made his low finish look easy, passing in a first time shot from Shalulile’s precise low cross.
CRB were stirred awake and improved their performance. After being denied a penalty kick by a Video Assistant Referee review late in the half, Le Grand Chabab pulled a goal back when Miloud Rebiai beat Sundowns keeper Ronwen Williams to the ball and headed in a corner kick service from Youssef Laouafi.
Any momentum CRB gained at the end of the first half was soon lost in the 51st minute when poor defending on a Themba Zwane pass saw the ball pinball into the Belouizdad penalty area where Shaulile pounced to rifle past Guendouz with his left foot. Sundowns held off a couple of dangerous attacks from CRB and then completed their dominant victory in second half stoppage time courtesy of Mailula, who was in the right spot to finish the rebound after Guendouz spilled an initial shot from fellow substitute Abubeker Nassir.
Highlights of Sundowns’ first leg victory are below.
