Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 Petro de Luanda - Masandawana thrash Os Tricolores

Mamelodi Sundowns started their 2019/20 Caf Champions League Group C campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory over Petro de Luanda in Tshwane on Saturday night.

Pitso Mosimane named an attack-minded team with Lebohang Maboe and Mauricio Affonso starting upfront as Masandawana looked to secure a win over Luanda.

Mosimane's counterpart, Toni Cosano included Isaac Mensah in the starting line-up with the Ghanaian attacker having netted twice in the qualifying rounds.

The hosts got off to a dream start as they grabbed an early goal after their two Uruguayan attackers Gaston Sirino and Affonso combined well.

Sirino played a delightful cross for Affonso, who made no mistake as he beat Luanda goalkeeper Elber with a header to make it 1-0 to Sundowns in the seventh minute.

Nicknamed Os Tricolores, Luanda were struggling to contain Masandawana, as Sirino forced Elber into a top save following a quick move by Mosimane's men.

Elber was beaten for the second time just before the half-hour mark when Motjeka Madisha headed home Tebogo Langerman's cross to make it 2-0 to Sundowns.

The 28-year-old shot-stopper was a busy man as he produced a fine save to deny Sphelele Mkhulise to ensure that the first half ended with Sundowns leading 2-0.

Sirino and Mkhulise continued to torment Os Tricolores' defence with their pace and trickery on the ball as the hosts looked to extend their lead.

Mkhulise, who was nurtured in the Masandawana academy, dribbled past his marker before making a dangerous curling cross which was well saved by Elber.

Cosano then made a double substitution introducing Megue and Caranga as the visitors looked to pull one back in the closing stages of the encounter.

However, the hosts continued to attack and Mkhulise finally got the goal he had been looking for when he was played through on goal by Sirino and he beat Elber to make it 3-0 to Sundowns in the 76th minute.

The goal sealed Sundowns' emphatic 3-0 victory over Luanda, who were unable to grab a late consolation goal on the night.

Sundowns will be away to Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca in their second Group C match on December 7, while Luanda are scheduled to host Algerian side USM Alger on the same day.