Mamelodi Sundowns made a strong start to the CAF Champions League quarter-finals after defeating Stade Malien of Mali 3–0 in the first-leg match played on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
Sundowns displayed impressive quality in front of their home fans and managed to score three goals, giving them a significant advantage ahead of the return leg scheduled to be played in Mali.
Defender Khuliso Mudau opened the scoring for Sundowns in the 34th minute with a powerful shot that beat the Stade Malien goalkeeper. In the second half, the hosts increased their attacking intensity and scored a second goal through striker Brayan León Muñiz in the 54th minute.
Sundowns continued to apply pressure until the 74th minute when striker Iqraam Rayners scored the third goal, securing a comfortable 3–0 victory for his team.
The win gives Sundowns a strong chance of qualifying for the semi-finals ahead of the return leg that will determine the overall winner on aggregate.
In another quarter-final match played the same day, Morocco’s AS FAR Rabat were held to a 1–1 draw at home by Egypt’s Pyramids FC.
AS FAR took an early lead in the 8th minute through attacking midfielder Ahmed Hammoudan, but Pyramids equalized in the 52nd minute through striker Mahmoud Zalaka, leaving the visitors in a favorable position heading into the return leg.
The CAF Champions League quarter-finals continue today with two more major matches, as Tunisia’s Esperance face Angola’s Petro Atlético, while record champions Al Ahly of Egypt are set to clash with MC Alger of Algeria.
The teams with the best aggregate results in the quarter-final ties will advance to the semi-finals of Africa’s premier club competition.
