Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Al Ahly 5-0 in the CAF Champions League quarterfinal first-leg match at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Tshwane on Saturday afternoon.

As a result, the South African giants will be leading 5-0 on aggregate against the Egyptian football powerhouse heading into next weekend’s second-leg match in Egypt. 

The Brazilians started the match brightly with their front three, Themba Zwane, Gaston Sirino and Lebohang Maboe, looking lively.

The hosts deservedly broke the deadlock 14 minutes into the game and it was Zwane who opened the scoring.

The South Africa international beat Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy to make it 1-0 to Sundowns, with Tebogo Langerman grabbing an assist.

Sirino was tormenting the Red Devils defence and he managed to grab an assist with the half-hour mark approaching.

The Uruguayan winger’s set-piece was headed home by Wayne Arendse to make it 2-0 to Sundowns, much to the delight of the home crowd. 

Zwane was also having a good game as he was brilliantly denied by El Shenawy, before hitting the woodwork just after the half-hour mark. 

Al Ahly pressed Sundowns towards the end of the first half, but keeper Denis Onyango made a great save to deny Amr Al Sulaya.

The score 2-0 to Sundowns following an impressive first-half display by the 2016 Champions League winners.

Sundowns continued their dominance following the half-time break and they were awarded a penalty after Maboe was fouled by El Shenawy.

Ricardo Nascimento then stepped up and the Brazilian defender beat Shenawy from the box to make it 3-0 to Sundowns. 

The Brazilians continued to attack after extending their lead and Sirino, who had a good first-half, got the goal he had been looking for.

The diminutive attacker beat El Shenawy with a powerful shot to make it 4-0 to Sundowns, who were running rampant against Al Ahly. 

Moroccan marksman Walid Azarou was introduced by Al Ahly in the closing stages as record eight-time Champions League winners searched for an away goal.

However, Sundowns continued to attack and former Al Ahly attacker Phakamani Mahlambi haunted the Red Devils in the latter stages of the game.

Speedy full-back Thapelo Morena set-up Mahlambi, who sealed Sundowns’ emphatic 5-0 victory in the 82nd minute following a counter-attack.

Sundowns (2) 5 (Zwane 14′, Arendse 24′, Nascimento 47′, Sirino 62′, Mahlambi 82′)
Al Ahly 0

Sundowns: Onyango, Ngcongca, Arendse, Langerman, Ricardo Nascimento, Kekana, Zwane, Mabunda (Coetzee 86′), Sirino (Vilakazi 72′), Morena, Maboe (Mahlambi 77′).

Al Ahly: El Shenawy, Ahmed Fathy, Ayman Ashraf, Saad Samir (Ibrahim 20′), Maaloul, Hany (Maher 36′), Al Sulaya, Sobhi, Karim Nedvěd, Mohsen, Ajayi (Azarou 69′).