Kenyan international Brian ‘Niang’ Mandela was red-carded as his side Mamelodi Sundowns triumphed over Al-Hilal Omdurman to book a quarter-final spot in the CAF Champions League, beating the Sudanese side 4-2 to ensure a top spot finish in the group with one match to play.The defender was given his marching orders after just 11 minutes for a professional last man foul on Eid Mugadam but that did not stop the Brazilians from continuing their unbeaten run in the group stage.Following the red card, Themba Zwane was sacrificed for Grant Kekana, a striker for a defender as Sundowns sought to fill in the defensive void left in an attempt to avoid the loss, with the knowledge that at least a point in the game would earn them a quarterfinal slot.11′ RED CARD! Brian Onyango receives his marching orders after a last-man foul.#Sundowns #DownsLive #TotalEnergiesCAFCL— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) March 19, 2022 It was the first time that Mamelodi Sundowns were conceding a goal in the group stage and did so way after the exit of the Kenyan who has been enjoying a blistering form, having kept clean sheets in their last four matches.Peter Shalulile opened the scoring for the South African side in the second minute to give them the early lead before Teboho Mokoena doubled the lead at the half-hour mark with a good strike from a freekick.Yasir Mozamil pulled one back to half the deficit 11 minutes into the second half before Thapelo Morena restored the two goals lead four minutes later to take his tally in the stage to two goals having scored in Egypt against Al Ahly.4️⃣ Goals scored & top spot in Group 🅰️ secured! 🔝Al Hilal (56′ Mozamil, 90+2′ Eltayib) 2️⃣➖4️⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (2′ Shalulile, 30′ Mokoena, 60′, 89′ Morena) #Sundowns #DownsLive #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/xyYJncp0jg— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) March 19, 2022 Morena struck again with one minute left to play in the game to complete his brace and score Sundown’s fourth for the day.Al-Hilal Omdurman were awarded a penalty in stoppage time after custodian Reyaad Pieterse brought down Mohamed Abdelrahman in the box. Abdelrahman stepped up to take the resultant kick but saw his effort from 12 yards saved by Pieterse, with Osman Moktar scoring from the rebound to make the score 4-2.Sundowns play Al-Merrikh on April 1 for the final group match and Mandela will watch the proceedings from the stands as he will be serving the suspension.
