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Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns gave their hopes of advancing in the CAF Champions League a great boost when they defeated AS Togo-Port 2-1 in Friday's clash at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Pretoria.
Sundowns came out of the blocks with great intent and would swoop into an early 2-0 lead courtesy of strikes from Gaston Sirino and Sibusiso Vilakazi.
In the opening exchanges the Brazilians nearly hit the front as a loose ball fell to Jeremy Brockie, though the New Zealand striker blasted well wide.
Nonetheless, the Togolese came close as well when the lively Ayi Hunlede cut inside Wayne Arendse, but saw his strike from a tight angle go over the top.
With that said, the opener duly arrived in the 11th minute from Sirino as he got on the end of good play from Themba Zwane to finish from close range.
A few minutes later the scorer of the first goal turned provider as his pass found Vilakazi, who executed a superb back-heel finish to make it 2-0.
'Downs were largely rampant and Brockie was close to adding a third as his effort from close to the goal was not converted after more excellent work from Sirino.
However, the visitors did respond as Fousseni Yacoubou forced goalkeeper Denis Onyango into a fine save down low to deny the midfielder.
After the interval, the visitors showed more aggression in their pressing to disrupt the home team's passing as chances were few and far between.
Yet, Downs were close to adding a third as Tebogo Langerman broke clear but saw his goal-bound strike saved by Jean-Robert Klomegan.
Togo-Port did pull a goal back inside the closing stages as Pitso Mosimane's men switched off before Kokou Kloukpo struck home.
With that said, it was not enough as the 2016 African Champions collected a crucial three points.
