Staff Reporter.
Cassius Mailula inspired Mamelodi Sundowns to a 1-0 win over Al Hilal Omdurman in Caf Champions League clash at Loftus Versveld stadium on Saturday afternoon.
On a pitch that soaked up all the rain that has affected the Highveld over the past week and a bit, Sundowns were highly functional in most areas but were unnecessarily fancy in front of goal.
Mailula broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when Hilal goalkeeper Ali Abdalla Aboeshren parried a Neo Maema shot into his path.
It was a half chance at best, but one Sundowns made the most of and when they had a clear-cut chance on the stroke of half-time, Peter Shalulile didn’t put enough power into his left-footed shot to test Aboeshren.
It was in the second half when the hosts showcased their dominance that went unpaid.
Mailula got the ball rolling in the 47th minute when he forced an excellent save from Aboeshren but a minute late, he was wrongly adjudged to be offside by far side official Nabina Sebutu from the Ivory Coast.
In that instance, Mailula had sprung the offside trap through an excellent Maema pass, with Mailula’s first touch and shot getting the better of Aboeshren.
It didn’t have the better of Sebutu, who made the only error of what was a faultless display from the Ivorian match officials, who were led by Jean-Jacques Ndala.
Marcelo Allende’s 56th-minute freekick was well saved by Aboeshren, and despite Sundowns pouring forward with regularity, they were unable to be incisive in front of goal.
Al-Hilal were reduced to 10 men when defender Altayeb Abdallah was sent off in the 86th minute for a deliberate handball, but it didn’t have a marked effect on the outcome.
Sundowns continued to press forward, and they may not have had the requisite goal return despite 15 shots at goal, but gained the three crucial points to get their campaign on track.
Sundowns will now face Cameroonian champions Coton Sport in another Group B encounter on February 17.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams and the game is scheduled to be played at Stade Omnisport Roumdé Adjia in Cameroon.