Title-holders Esperance and former winners TP Mazembe and Mamelodi Sundowns flexed their muscles Saturday with convincing CAF Champions League matchday one victories.
Photo: Trevor Cramer
Uruguayan Mauricio Affonso took advantage of a rare start for Sundowns by scoring within seven minutes of the kick-off to set up a 3-0 romp over Petro Luanda of Angola in Pretoria.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane said in pre-match interviews that he feared the physicality of Petro, who lost a 2001 semi-final between the clubs.
But his concerns proved unfounded as headed goals from gangling Affonso and Motjeka Madisha had the South African side two goals ahead inside 29 minutes.
Sphelele Mkhulise completed an easier than expected victory and lifted Sundowns to the Group C summit, two points above two-time champions Wydad and USM.
Anice Badri and Ibrahim Ouattara scored within the first 15 minutes for Esperance of Tunisia away to Raja Casablanca of Morocco, and they then pulled down the shutters for a 2-0 triumph.
Jackson Muleka punished woeful marking to nod two goals as Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo overpowered Zamalek of Egypt 3-0 in central Africa.
The other matches, between USM Alger of Algeria and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in Blida and Primeiro Agosto of Angola and Zesco United of Zambia in Luanda, ended in 1-1 draws.
On Friday, there were home wins for Etoile Sahel of Tunisia, Al Hilal of Sudan and JS Kabylie of Algeria over Al Ahly of Egypt, Platinum of Zimbabwe and V Club of DR Congo respectively.
