Mamelodi Sundowns are all but through to the CAF Champions League group stages after an emphatic 5–1 victory over Nigerian champions Remo Stars at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex on Sunday.
Last season’s finalists were in complete control throughout the match, displaying the quality and dominance that has made them one of Africa’s elite clubs.
Katlego Ntsabeleng, on loan from FC Dallas and still settling into the squad, scored his first goal for Sundowns in the 85th minute — calmly finishing after a well-timed run through on goal.
Unlike Orlando Pirates, who suffered a 3–0 defeat to St. Eloi Lupopo earlier on Sunday, the Brazilians showed their class away from home.
Tashreeq Matthews opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a superb first touch to beat his marker before firing home with his left foot.
All-time PSL top scorer Peter Shalulile doubled the lead just before halftime, slotting past the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.
Midfielder Miguel Reisinho added a third in the 61st minute to effectively put the tie beyond Remo Stars’ reach. Substitute Arthur Sales made it 4–0 in the 77th minute, finishing off a Nuno Santos pass with a precise left-footed strike.
The Nigerian side managed a consolation goal shortly after through Samson Olasupo, who cut inside and fired past Ronwen Williams at the near post to lift the home crowd’s spirits briefly.
However, Ntsabeleng’s late goal restored Sundowns’ four-goal cushion and sealed a dominant performance.
With the second leg to be played in Pretoria on Sunday, it would take an extraordinary collapse for Sundowns to fail to advance to the group stages, given their commanding display in Nigeria.
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