With a 3-0 victory over Al-Merrikh in their final CAF Champions League group stage encounter on Saturday, Mamelodi Sundowns achieved their goal of bringing their fans back to the stadium on a victorious note.
On Saturday, the high-flying Sundowns met Sudanese side Al-Merrick at the FNB Stadium in their final CAF Champions League group encounter.
It’s all over from FNB stadium, The Brazilians finish the group stage on top and unbeaten!
Mamelodi Sundowns (15′ Maluleka, 66′ Ralani, 72′ Erasmus) 3⃣
0⃣ Al Merrikh #Sundowns #DownsLive #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/Ym9cQprtIO
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 2, 2022
The Brazilians were rewarded for their excellent start in the 15th minute when George Maluleka scored.
In the second half, Bradley Ralani made it 2-0. Ralani was also involved in the third goal, as he assisted Kermit Erasmus with a fantastic pass that he hammered into the opposition’s goal.
Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mgqithi expressed his delight at the return of fans to the stadium before the match.
“We’ve gotten our fans back into our games, and the only thing left now is for our fans to come out in force to support us and not consider this game as a dead rubber.” We don’t consider it as if it were a dead rubber; Al-Merrick is one of Sudan’s top teams, having won three championships in a row. We’d want to play this match in front of our fans, to hear that drumming, to hear that singing, and to see how the team reacts.”
This win came in the late game of their group stage as they also topped the group.