Mamelodi Sundowns beat Pyramids 1-0 on the road to secure a second win in the CAF Champions League group stages.
Teboho Mokoena’s solitary goal ensured that the South African giants grabbed maximum points in a match that was played at 30 June Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Both sides had a patient start to the game as they were trying to find the rhythm. But Sundowns enjoyed more ball possession in the opening exchanges, rotating the ball even though they couldn’t create many opportunities.
As time went on, Rulani Mokwena’s side started finding the spaces, breaking the visitors’ block. It was in the 17th minute when Tebogo Mokoena opened the scoring with a thunderous low shot from range.
Moments later, Ronwen Williams was called into action when Fiston Mayele broke away, bursting into the box and facing the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper. ‘Ronza’ was quick to get into the ball first before the DR Congo international.
Bafana Ba Style continued to dominate, building from the back while the home side exerted pressure on them when marking.
Williams kept on closing doors as the Egyptian outfit created a handful of goal-scoring chances. He stopped Mayele’s header as the forward was located with a cross in the box.
TEBOHO MOKOENA’S FORCED CHANGE DUE TO INJURY
In the 38th minute, Masandawana made a forced change with the goalscorer Mokoena picking up a knock. In his place came Bongani Zungu, who last played his Champions League match against Noudhibou last month.
The match went to half-time with the 2016 African champions leading 1-0.
In the second half, the hosts made an attack-minded substitution, bringing on the experienced Mostafa Fathi as they took off Karim Hafez.
The Cairo-based side continued with the press while the DStv Premiership persisted with their expensive football looking for the gaps. At times, playing from the back almost proved costly for the Tshwane giants who kept on losing the ball in their half.
Pyramids started having more of the ball as they were seeking an equaliser but were finding it difficult to unlock the Brazilians’ defence.
With 20 minutes to go, it turned out to be a scrappy game with several fouls from both sides. Meanwhile, a second-half substitute Fathi was threatening when cutting in from the right especially when Terrence Mashego had pushed up to assist offensively.
The home side came close to getting a leveller a couple of times in the last ten minutes and injury time but Masandawana held on until the last whistle.
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