Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns begin their CAF Champions League in West Africa.
The first test is in Nigeria this evening to face Remo Stars in the second preliminary round at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. Kick-off is set for 17:00.
The club known as Kabo Yellow are aiming for another deep run on the continent after reaching last season’s final.
REMO STARS WELCOME MAMELODI SUNDOWNS IN THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Due to last season’s run and the high CAF ranking, Masandawana skipped the opening qualifying round, but they’ll know there are no easy starts in African football.
Remo Stars, champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), earned their spot with a dominant 5–0 aggregate win over US Zilimandjou of Comoros.
The Nigerians won 4–0 at home before wrapping it up 1–0 away, showing real confidence heading into this test against the South Africans.
Sundowns’ domestic form has been a mixed bag by their own high standards. They sit top of the Betway Premiership, but three draws and a defeat were not expected.
In cup games, they lost to Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semifinals, while they also crashed out of the Carling Knockout at the first hurdle against Marumo Gallants. Still, goals haven’t been a problem , 17 scored in 10 league matches and only five conceded.
Remo Stars, on the other hand, haven’t had the best of starts in the NPFL. They’re currently 13th after three wins, one draw, and three defeats in their opening seven matches. Goals have been hard to come by, just seven scored and nine conceded, which will be a worry as they step up to continental competition.
COACH MIGUEL CARDOSO PREVIEW
Sundowns, meanwhile, travel with experience. The Tshwane giants will host the return leg at home next Sunday, 26 October, at 15:00, and will be looking to bring back an advantage from the away leg.
“It’s hot in Nigeria but it’s summer in South Africa,” Cardoso said at the press conference. “Our players are used to playing in the heat.
“We recently played in the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA in difficult, hot conditions. It will not affect the performance,” the Portuguese coach added.
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