Anthony Laffor’s Mamelodi Sundowns has advanced to the top of Group B of the Confederation of African Football Champions League after securing a 2-1 victory away at the Egyptian Zamalek Soccer Club.
Goals from Tiyani Mabunda and Khama Billiat were enough to hand the South African ABSA Premiership champions a well-deserved three points away from home.
Laffor, who had just settled his dispute with the Sundowns, was included in the starting lineup and played 55 of the full 90 minutes.
The Egyptians took control of the match initially and appeared to be the better of the two clubs. Presenting more of an attacking threat at the onset yet it was the Sundowns that had the first shot on target when Hlompho Kekana shot from the long range to force a diving save from the Zamalek goalkeeper.
Zamalek missed the opportunity to take the lead in the 14th minute when South African Wayne Arendse’s error in the box fell to Ayman Hefny, who shot wide over the crossbar.
Three minutes later after Sundowns almost conceded, they opened the scoring in the 17th minute through Tiyani Mabunda who fired home a rebound with a composed finish.
The goal put Zamalek in high spirits, as they raised their level of play, following a period of sustained pressure. Zamelek leveled the score after a second defensive blunder from the Sundowns. Egyptian forward Mohamed Ibrahim made no mistake as he struck into an empty Sundowns’ net in the 37th minute.
The equalizer disorganized the Sundowns, as Zamalek ended the half on a stronger note, but was unable to take the lead before the sound of the first half whistle.
Host Zamalek was dealt a major blow shortly after the break when Ibrahim suffered a broken leg, after a challenge from Sundowns’ Nthethe.
In search of their second goal, Sundowns brought in Percy Tau for Anthony Laffor who looked to have lost some energy.
Colombian striker, Leonardo Castro came close to giving the Sundowns the lead in the 65th minute with an acrobatic volley that hit the crossbar before the Zimbabwean Khama Billiat scored in the 67th minute to put the Sundowns ahead for the second time.
Again, Zamalek pushed for the equalizer for the remainder of the match but failed to find the back of the net again as the Sundowns maintain their 100% winning record at the group stage of the 2016 CAF Champions League.
The win puts the Sundowns on top of Group B with six points, three points over second place Zamalek and six points over third place over Nigeria premier league side Enyimba Football Club.
Featured photo by T. Kla Wesley Jr.
