Harambee Stars international Brian ‘Niang’ Mandela will once again feature in the coveted Group Stage of the CAF Champions League after South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns from became one of the first four sides to confirm their spot in the prestigious continental tournament by successfully advancing past the second and final preliminary round on Friday night.Paired against Seychelles’ La Passe who they thrashed 7-0 in the first leg played last weekend, Sundowns once again confirmed the gulf between the two sides as they hit the visitors 8-1 in the second leg to cruise to the group stage with a 15-1 aggregate score line.Next stop 🔜 CAF Champions League Group Stages! 🌍Mamelodi Sundowns (8′ Morena, 39′, 45′, 86′ Mailula, 70′, 90+2′ Motupa, 76′ Domingo, 78′ Maema) 8️⃣ (15)➖(1) 1️⃣ La Passe FC (38′ Rajaoniasy) #Sundowns #DownsLive #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/MSM689Yj6C— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 14, 2022 In the match staged at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Thapelo Morena started the onslaught for Sundowns as he opened the scoring in the 8th minute. Half an hour later, La Passe, who were fighting not to record the same humiliation, managed to restore parity as Florent Rajaoniasy directed a powerful header into the back of the net.##NAJAVA_MECA_6724263##That effort would however prove to be the end of their resolve as 21 year old Cassius Mailula struck two goals in the remaining six minutes of the first half to give Sundowns a 3-1 lead at the break.Mailula would go on to grab his hat trick in the second half as the Brazilians further stretched their lead. A second half brace from Gift Motupa on top of goals by Haashim Domingo and Neo Maema then turned the game from being a contest as Sundowns ran riot and comfortable winners to sail through.Onyango cautions Simba against repeating last season’s Champions League mistakeIn the other games, Angola’s Petro Athletico also booked their spot following a 4-0 aggregate win over South Africa’s Cape Town City Stars.Egyptian giants Zamalek thrashed Burundi’s Flambeu du Centre 6-1 aggregate to confirm their place as well.Algeria’s CR Belouizdad successfully overturned a first leg 1-2 score against Djoliba as they defeated the Malian opponents 2-0 at home to advance 3-2 on aggregate.Waking up with that winning feeling! 😁 We’re off to the #TotalEnergiesCAFCL group stages! Do you have a favourite moment from yesterday’s match? Share it with us in the comments below ⬇#Sundowns pic.twitter.com/o1xf3ag8EQ— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 15, 2022 Saturday matchesTP Mazembe vs VipersAl Ahly vs MonastirEsperance Tunis vs Plateau UnitedAl Ahly Tripoli vs Al MerreikhRaja Casablanca vs NigelecKabylie vs Kara
