Downs begin CAF title defence
Sundowns could begin their title defence on Friday night without Khama Billiat, Denis Onyango and Tiyani Mabunda.
Mamelodi Sundows will kickoff the defence of their CAF Champions League title on Friday night against Kampala City of Uganda at Lucas Moripe stadium.
Last Month, Downs defeated TP Mazembe 1-0 in the CAF Super Cup having already won the Champions League in October
The Brazilians have had a busy schedule since June last year due to their CAF commitment.
Despite that, the men from Pretoria have managed to keep their winning momentum reaching the final of the MTN8 last year and are currently the favourites to win the Absa Premier League.
Coach Pitso Mosimane has been rotating his players of late due to the number of matches the team has to play competing in three tournaments – the league, Champions League and Nedbank Cup.
In their last PSL game they went down 1-0 to Cape Town City but bounced back on Monday with a 2-0 over to Mariveni United in the Nedbank Cup round of 32.
Downs showed depth making eight changes to the team that faced Cape Town City but still easily brushed United aside.
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Mosimane could be without three of his regulars for the Kampala City game with Khama Billiat, Denis Onyango and Tiyani Mabunda nursing injuries.
According to Kickoff, Wayne Arendse also could miss Friday’s encounter due to suspension.
“Wayne is suspended in my opinion – we’re still waiting for confirmation [from CAF] because remember Wayne collected a sixth yellow card when we played Zamalek here,” Mosimane said.
Downs had a bye in the preliminary round due to them being champions meaning they only need to win this tie to qualify for the group stages.
Kampala on the other hand, needed to overcome Angolan champions Primeiro de Agosto in the preliminary round and progressed on away goals rule.
Mamelodi Sundowns' CAF Champions League opponents have arrived in South Africa ahead of their fixture on Friday. https://t.co/MoaevUITxS
— Soccer Laduma (@Soccer_Laduma) March 8, 2017
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