CAF Champions League 2016 holders Mamelodi Sundowns visit Saint-Eloi Lupopo looking to go level with Group C leaders Al Hilal on eight points.
Coach Miguel Cardoso has opted for tried and tested heads after giving squad players a run in midweek’s 2-1 win over Gomora United in the Nedbank Cup round of 32.
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CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS STARTING 11 TO FACE SAINT-ELOI LUPOPO
Confirmed Sundowns starting 11: Williams, Mudau, Ndamane, Kekana, Modiba, Adams, Mokoena, Santos, Morena, Sales, Shalulile.
Substitutes: Onyango, Reisinho, Allende, Leon, Rayners, Matthews, Lunga, Zwane, Johannes.
Confirmed Lupopo starting 11: Kabamba, Mpeko, Douhadji, Nekadio, Kimputu, Mendy, Mika, Mabou, Mbele, Lihozasia, Tukumbange.
Substitutes: To be confirmed.
PRESSURE ON COACH MIGUEL CARDOSO
Sundowns’ group-stage run has been tightly contested from the start. It opened with a 3-1 win over Lupopo in November 2025, followed by a goalless draw against MC Alger.
Kabo Yellow then drew 2-2 with Al-Hilal Omdurman on 23 January before suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to the same opponents a week later.
The results have kept the group finely balanced, with Al-Hilal leading with eight points and Sundowns under pressure after MC Alger defeated Al-Hilal to move second with seven points.
The final group-stage match will see Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger coming to Mzansi on 14 February. High expectations are on Sundowns after reaching the 2025 final where they lost 3-2 on aggregate to Pyramids FC.