Five key takeaways as Mamelodi Sundowns book CAF Champions League quarter-final berth-Again

Mamelodi Sundowns showed style and class to ensure passage into the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League with a 2-0 win over MC Alger at Loftus Stadium on Saturday.

1. Eighth time the charm for Sundowns

Consistency at continental level is never accidental. Mamelodi Sundowns have now qualified for the CAF Champions League knockout stages for the eighth consecutive season, a run that speaks to institutional stability more than isolated brilliance.

Even during a campaign filled with pressure moments and external noise, Sundowns once again found a way to advance. It may no longer feel dramatic, but that reliability remains their biggest strength in CAF football.

2. Bryan León delivers when it matters most

When the stakes rise, your striker must respond — and Bryan León did exactly that. Two goals in a decisive group-stage match left no room for doubt, with the Colombian striking once in each half to guide Sundowns over the line.

What stood out was not just the finishing, but the calm. In what had been a tense week for the club, León played with the composure of a man built for continental nights.

3. Tebogo Mokoena’s brain and muscle in midfield

Every CAF campaign eventually demands leadership from the engine room. With Sundowns needing control, Tebogo Mokoena answered the call.

Stationed deep, the Bafana Bafana midfielder dictated tempo, protected the back four, and ensured Sundowns always had a platform to attack. It was a reminder that when the margins are thin, intelligence and discipline often outweigh flair.

4. CAF dark arts never disappoint

Veteran CAF observers will tell you: no continental journey is complete without disruption. This match followed the script. From off-the-ball pushes and shirt pulls to stoppages caused by unnecessary confrontations, the “dark arts” were fully on display.

Sundowns’ ability to stay composed amid the chaos proved just as important as their tactical execution — a sign of a team that has learned its CAF lessons the hard way.

5. Coaches clash adds theatre

The tension spilled into the technical areas as emotions boiled over between Rulani Mokwena and Miguel Cardoso.

In a rare touchline spectacle, Cardoso sprinted down the sideline after Sundowns’ second goal, prompting a foot chase involving officials and staff — with Steve Komphela stepping in to restore order.

It was messy, dramatic, and unmistakably CAF — the perfect backdrop to yet another Sundowns qualification.