Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns cruised into the group stages of the CAF Champions League with comfortable aggregate wins over Jwaneng Galaxy and Mbabane Swallows respectively.
Sundowns will make their 10th consecutive appearance in the group stage after thumping Mbabane Swallows 8-0 aggregate following another 4-0 win in their second leg at home at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
The four-goal cushion from the first leg allowed coach Manqoba Mngqithi to rotate his squad with Betway Premiership matches against Marumo Gallants (Tuesday) and Kaizer Chiefs (next Saturday) coming up next week.
Kobamelo Kodisang opened the scoring for Sundowns shortly before the break after the industrious Divine Lunga went on a smart run before feeding Kodisang to score.
Brilliant display of football from The Brazilians! #TotalEnergiesCAFCL group stages here we come! 👆
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) September 21, 2024
Mamelodi Sundowns (42' Kodisang, 60' Khoza, 63' Lorch, 67' Mkhulise) 4⃣ (8)➖(0) 0️⃣ Mbabane Swallows#Sundowns #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/DZYjTNdyC1
Malibongwe Prince Khoza doubled their lead in the second half when after he headed Thembinkosi Lorch’s free-kick home.
The Eswatini side were chasing shadows for the remainder of the match. Lorch then went from provider to scorer when Kodisang played him to score Sundowns’ third.
Sphelele Mkhulise rounded off the rout with a goal towards the end of the match, Sundowns in the hat when the draw is conducted.
Saleng the hero for Pirates
Meanwhile, at the Orlando Stadium, Monnapule Saleng scored a late winner to give Pirates a 1-0 win over Jwaneng Galaxy to secure their spot in the group stages.
☠️ FT | @orlandopirates 1 - 0 @jwanenggalaxy (Agg: 3 -0)
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) September 21, 2024
🥅 Saleng 90+3’
⚫⚪🔴⭐#MatchDay#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/amZavxGJXP
Pirates, who won the first leg 2-0 in Botswana, ended up winning the two-legged qualifier 3-0 and can now focus on the league and the upcoming MTN8 final against Stellenbosch FC in two weeks’ time.
Saleng scored the winner against the run of play after Jwaneng Galaxy pushed hard for goals in the closing stages.
Pirates will return to action on Tuesday afternoon for a home league match against Polokwane City, before travelling to Richards Bay on Sunday.
@JohnGoliath82