Sundowns finish top of Champions League group with victory over TP Mazembe

Masandawana put on a very calculated display at the Lucas Moripe Stadium to secure the 1-0 victory on Saturday. 

After a cagey opening stanza, the AFL Champions started to string passes together before club top scorer Lucas Ribeiro was brought down in the box in the 36th minute. 

Namibian striker Peter Shalulile duly converted the spot kick in the 38th-minute to end his barren run in front of goal. 

The home side did not panic after getting the lead, maintaining their constant passing and pressing game, starving the visiting Congolese side of the ball. 

Sundowns started the second half brightly with Themba Zwane having his left-footed strike saved by Senagalede goalkeeper Alioune Badara Faty in the first minute of the second half. 

Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was instrumental with his passing game throughout the match with new right-back Zuko Mdunyelwa also being impressive during the encounter. 

The Chloorkop side afforded TP Mazembe no clear-cut opportunities in the second half as they put in a matured display to seal top spot in Group A. 

Teboho Mokoena came closest to doubling the lead for the home side following the introduction of Thembinkosi Lorch, with the players combining in a scintillating one-touch passing move which ended with the for the Bafana Bafana midfielder skying his effort over the bar from a tight angle. 

Nonetheless, Sundowns held firm for the 1-0 victory and will now await to see who they will face in the CAF Champions Leage quarter-finals.

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