Sundowns given a lifeline
Mamelodi Sundowns were handed a lifeline in the CAF tournament after AS Vita was disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.
ABSA Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns have been given a lifeline by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after AS Vita was thrown out of the Champions League.
The Congolese side was found guilty of fielding an ineligible player in the games against the Pretoria side.
Vita defeated Sundowns on the away goal rule after they drew 2-2 in the preliminary round.
Vita’s disqualification means the Brazilians sail into the group stages of the competition.
CAF has advised the SA Football Association (SAFA) of the reinstatement to the Champions League, and was included in the group stage draw in Cairo on Tuesday.
Disqualification of AS Vita Club https://t.co/LTzwS3kSsV
— CAF (@CAF_Online) May 24, 2016
The Tshwane champions were drawn in Group B with Enyimba from Nigeria, Zamalek from Egypt and ES Setif from Algeria.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane welcomed the CAF’s decision.
“Of course it is exciting news to be back in the Champions League. That’s the big one and we want to be in that space,” Mosimane wrote on the club’s website.
Mosimane said this now meant the club had to rework their programme.
“As you can imagine, we had already drawn up our programme. Players had already booked their trips back home and holidays,” he said.
Sundowns will have to start preparing for their first game in the group instead of going away on a break because CAF competitions continue through the SA winter break.
Here is what our upcoming #CAFCL fixture list looks like Masandawana: pic.twitter.com/gZjMsWUhwe
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 24, 2016
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