Harambee Stars defender Brian Mandela made his first appearance in the Group Stages of the 2022/2023 CAF Champions League on Friday night after coming on as a late substitute in Mamelodi Sundowns’ 1-3 win against Cotonsport.The second Group B encounter was staged at Omnisports Roumde Ad Stadium in Garoua, Cameroon.Having not been included in the matchday squad for the first continental clash against Al-Hilal Omdurman, the Kenyan international managed to make a late cameo after being drafted in the squad as a substitute.90+4′ Subs 🚫 Aubrey Modiba | Sphelele Mkhulise✅ Brian Onyango | Mosa Lebusa#Sundowns #DownsLive #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/UayEyDrjBK— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 17, 2023 In the match, in-form Cassius Mailula was the starman for Sundowns as he bagged a brace and an assist after scoring on either side of Thapelo Morena’s brilliant goal.Patient Gouegoue Wassou managed to score the consolation goal for the home side who were playing their first match in the group stage.The South Africans raced into a 2-0 lead within the opening 11 minutes, scoring twice in two minutes.##NAJAVA_MECA_7031463##Mailula scored the opener after nine minutes, his second consecutive goal in as many matches, and his eleventh in all competitions, after intercepting a sideways pass from defender Youssoufa Houzaifi before shooting low into the bottom right.Two minutes later, he set up Mailula for a second before the home side halved the deficit on the half-hour mark when they turned over possession in midfield with Djawal Kaiba sending Wassou through on goal with the 19-year old scoring with a neat low shot.Two minutes to the break, Sundowns restored their two goal margin with Mailula finding the back of the net with a low finish past the keeper after racing to an Aubrey Modiba defense splitting pass.3⃣ crucial points picked up in Cameroon! 🇨🇲 Coton Sport (30′ Wassou) 1⃣➖3⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (10′,43′ Mailula, 12′ Morena) #Sundowns #DownsLive #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/iyo7lTuiw1— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 17, 2023 The result would remain unchanged in the second half allowing Sundowns to comfortably go on top of the group with six points ahead of their mouthwatering clash against Al Ahly next weekend.Round 2 FixturesFridayAl Merreikh 0-0 ZamalekCotonsport 1-3 Mamelodi SundownsKabylie 1-0 WydadFerdinand Omanyala: The stone that was once rejected but is now Kenya’s athletic cornerstoneSaturdayAl Hilal vs Al Ahly – 1600EATVipers vs Horoya – 1600EATAS Vita Club vs Petro Athletico – 1900EATSimba vs Raja Casablanca – 1900EATCR Belouizdad vs Esperance Tunis – 2200 EAT
