After a comfortable 5-1 win away in Nigeria last week, the Brazilians recorded a 2-0 victory in their Second preliminary round, second leg clash at home on Sunday.

Nuno Santos opened the scoring at Loftus Versfeld after 21 minutes and Peter Shalulile weighed in with his obligatory goal when he fired home on the half-time mark.

With progression all but secured, Downs boss Miguel Cardoso opted to rest captain Ronwen Williams and play veteran Denis Onyango in goal.

There was also a start Shalulile, who was lively early on as he looked to get wide and provide a cross, only to be crowded out.

Stars goalkeeper Serge Obassa then made a fine stop as Khuliso Mudau sent a dangerous ball into the box, while a brilliant long ball on 19 minutes found Santos on the run, but his header flew just over the bar.

Santos though was on target just minutes later as he fired home from a superb pass from Aubrey Modiba, for his first goal for the club in his fifth appearance in all competitions.

Tasreeq Matthews was wide on the half-hour mark as Sundowns continued to press - and with the half winding down, the home side were two goals to the good as Shalulile connected well to a 44th minute corner to leave Obassa with no chance at his near post.

Shalulile had an opportunity to add to his tally just five minutes into the second half, but he saw his goal-bound shot well blocked.

That proved to be his last real involvement for the Namibian before being replaced by Lebo Mothiba, as Bathusi Aubaas came on for Teboho Mokoena.

Sundowns continued to create half chances as Stars roamed forward without any penetration and with the result seemingly sealed, Cardoso made further chances as he withdrew Arthur Sales and Modiba for Miguel Reisinho and Divine Lunga.

There was a great chance for Stars to pull a goal back, on 72 minutes, as Samson Olasupo raced on goal, but the attacker was tracked all the way by Keanu Cupido and ultimately fired wide.

Jayden Adams was introduced for Allende as the home team looked to see out the tie, and despite a late volley that nearly caught out Onyango before coming back off a post, there was never any real threat to Sundowns as they secured their place in the group stage of the elite African competition for a mammoth eleventh year in a row.

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