Sundowns blink out the Remo Stars in dominant display

The outcome was never in doubt. Mamelodi Sundowns’ passage into the group stage of the CAF Champions League was already confirmed following their 5-1 first-leg victory over Remo Stars in Nigeria last week.

On Sunday afternoon, the Brazilians merely ascertained the inevitable with a 2-0 win, taking the tie 7-1 on aggregate. After Orlando Pirates failed to reach the money-spinning round-robin phase of the continent’s premier club competitions, the Betway Premiership champions will carry the South African flag alone.

Beaten finalists last year, Sundowns sent a warning to the rest of the continent that they will once again be serious contenders with this comprehensive defeat of the Nigerian champions.

They triumphed on Sunday despite coach Miguel Cardoso resting key players, with both goals coming before the break and hinting at another possible pasting for the Nigerians, similar to the first leg.

Captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams started in goal alongside veteran former Ugandan international Denis Onyango, while talismanic striker Peter Shalulile returned to the starting line-up. The Namibian repaid the coach’s faith by scoring in a victory that was never really in doubt.

Newcomer Nunu Santos opened the scoring on 20 minutes after linking well with left-back Aubrey Modiba. Shalulile then made it 2-0 shortly before half-time, continuing to extend his lead atop the Premier Soccer League’s all-time top scorers’ list.

Shalulile could have scored a second early in the second half when he connected with a cut-back by Khuliso Mudau, but the visitors’ defenders were alert to block his effort.

Remo Stars did make some inroads into the Sundowns’ danger area, but none bore fruit as the South African champions held on for the 2-0 victory, completing a massive 7-1 aggregate win and confirming their status as one of the favourites for the title yet again.

The draw for the group stages takes place next Monday in Johannesburg, and most clubs will no doubt be hoping to avoid being in the same group as the Brazilians.