PRETORIA, South Africa (March 13, 2026) (Interstat) — Mamelodi Sundowns opened its CAF Champions League campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Stade Malien de Bamako at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday.

The home side defied a pregame projection from Interstat that favored Stade Malien to score, instead delivering a comprehensive performance. Defender Khuliso Mudau opened the scoring in the 34th minute. Forward Brayan Léon doubled the lead in the 54th, and Iqraam Rayners sealed the win in the 74th.

The result gave Sundowns a winning start in group play, while Stade Malien began its tournament with a loss. Interstat’s ELO rating system had given Sundowns a 97% probability to win pregame.