Mamelodi Sundowns displayed yet another remarkable performance, thrashing Mbabane Swallows 4-0 for the second time to book a spot in the Champions League group stages at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday. 

Coming into this encounter with a 4-0 aggregate advantage in the first leg of the second preliminary round, coach Manqoba Mngqithi opted for a rather different lineup. 

A total of six players made their 2024/25 season debuts, with Thembinkosi Lorch also making his first appearance after an injury. 

The Brazilians inevitably started the game on a high, applying ample pressure on the Swallows defensive third from the get-go. 

Evident of the new combinations in, Sundowns found it difficult to pose a serious threat to the Swallows goalkeeper, despite possessing a significant amount of ball possession in the first 15. 

After a total of five attempts, all on target, they eventually found the opening just before half-time. 

A moment of individual brilliance from Kampani Lunga, shifting through the Swallows’ defense to find Kamohelo Kodisang with a cutback. 

The 25-year-old made no mistake, easily slotting inside an open net in the far post. 

The referee blew the halftime whistle with Sundowns enjoying a comfortable 1-0 lead. 

14 minutes into the second half, a dominant Sundowns found their second through a 59th-minute header. 

Debutant defender, Malibingwe Khoza rose highest in the box, to latch onto a well-taken Thembinkosi Lorch free kick. 

With just three minutes having elapsed, the former Orlando Pirates player, Lorch found himself on the end of an exquisite low cross to leave the goalkeeper frozen, getting his first of the season. 

A demolition job by the South African league champions, making it 4-0 in the 66^th minute. On the end of a goalkeeper rebound, academy graduate Sphelele Mkhulise smashed it in through the middle, again leaving the goalkeeper frozen. 

An 8-0 aggregate lead for Sundowns left the Eswatini side hopelessly hoofing the ball whenever in possession, with no hopes for a possible comeback. 

On the other end, Sundowns ruthlessly looked eager to find a fifth but were unlucky in front of goal. 

Swallows spent the last 10 minutes of the game effortlessly chasing after the ball with Masandawana having consciously slowed down the tempo. 

The official eventually came to Mbabane Swallows’ relief, blowing the final whistle and ending the torture for the Eswatini side. 

A dominant performance from the Pretoria side earns them their ninth consecutive qualification into the CAF Champions League group stages.