Kaizer Chiefs secured a commanding 4-0 first-leg victory over Simba SC in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals on Saturday evening.
The Amakhosi welcomed back Samir Nurkovic and Dumisani Zuma in attack alongside Lebogang Manyama while Eric Mathoho and Reeve Frosler returned to the defence.
It turned out to be telling changes from coach Gavin Hunt as on six minutes a flick-on from Nurkovic from a corner-kick by Bernard Parker saw Mathoho head in the opener.
Simba began to open up moments after going behind, but the Amakhosi was switched on to every threat and subsequently managed to avert their quest to go level pegging.
Chiefs could’ve doubled their lead just before the half-hour mark, but Daniel Cardoso went inches wide from a long free-kick into the opposing six-yard area.
Hunt’s men did go on to nab a second goal on 34 minutes when Nurkovic got on the end of a well-taken delivery by Frosler to head into the net.
A substitution followed at the same time with Zuma removed following a knock and Leonardo Castro introduced from the bench.
Simba came out for the second half desperately looking to get into second gear, as the Amakhosi threatened a third from a turn and shot by Manyama.
The Glamour Boys eventually sealed a third goal right on the 57th minute after Nurkovic applied an acrobatic finish past goalkeeper Aishi Manula to pick up a brace.
It got worse for the Tanzanian champions after six minutes when substitute Castro got in on the act with a diving header from Manyama’s ball to hand Chiefs a fourth goal.
Castro looked to make it five with a double of his own inside the remaining 15 minutes, but went off target from a long range strike.
The Amakhosi comfortably ran down the closing stages of the match to pick up a comfortable first-leg victory.