Loftus Versfeld Stadium will be a cauldron of noise on Saturday afternoon when Mamelodi Sundowns take on Pyramids FC in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final.
The Brazilians last won this trophy in the 2014-15 season, while the Egyptian Premier League outfit are hoping to claim the title in just their second season in the competition.
Match preview
© Imago
Despite their dominance in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, continental success has largely eluded Mamelodi Sundowns, but this season presents a golden opportunity to rewrite that story.
Miguel Cardoso‘s side once again proved too good in the the PSL this season, claiming their eighth consecutive title with two games to spare, posting a record of 24 wins, one draw and just three defeats in 28 matches.
Masandawana have reached at least the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League in each of the last six seasons – including back-to-back semi-final appearances – and will know the importance of securing an advantage to take into the second leg in a week’s time.
The Brazilians came through their Champions League group in second place behind AS FAR with nine points, before taking down ES Tunis 1-0 in the quarter-final and beating African giants Al Ahly on away goals in the semis.
Notably, Sundowns have been excellent at home in this competition, still unbeaten after six matches (W3 D3 L0), while having only conceded a single goal at Loftus Versfeld Stadium to date.
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Meanwhile, Pyramids’ rise over the last few years has been truly remarkable, as they won the Egypt Cup last term and now have an opportunity to claim their first ever continental title in just their second season in the CAF Champions League.
PYR are also right in the thick of the Egyptian Premier League title race, currently three points behind Al Ahly heading into their final game of the season against Ceramica Cleopatra four days after this weekend’s match.
Krunoslav Jurcic‘s side also finished second in their Champions League group, earning 13 points from their six games, before overcoming FAR Rabat 4-3 on aggregate in the last eight and coming from behind to beat Orlando Pirates 3-2 in the final four.
However, the major concern for the visitors is their away form in this competition, as they have only won one of their six matches on the road to date (W1 D3 L2) and have failed to score in four of their last five.
Team News
© Imago
Mamelodi Sundowns have just one known injury absentee for this match in the form of the experienced Rivaldo Coetzee, who has not featured for the Brazilians since sustaining an ACL injury back in October.
Ronwen Williams and the defensive quartet of Aubrey Modiba, Mosa Lebusa, Grant Kekana and Khuliso Mudau have kept six clean sheets in 11 games this season and should remain unchanged for this crucial fixture.
For the visitors, Abdelrahman Magdy and Ramadan Sobhi have been sidelined for the last few games due to injury, and are unlikely to feature this weekend, though they have not been ruled out for the reverse fixture next week.
Despite their struggles on the road, Pyramids have been impressive in attack, with Fiston Mayele and Ibrahim Adel both on five goals apiece in the competition, and tied for the top goal-scorer award as things stand.
Mamelodi Sundowns possible starting lineup:
Williams; Mudau, Kekana, Lebusa, Modiba; Morena, Adams, Mokoena, Allende; Costa, Shalulile
Pyramids FC possible starting lineup:
El-Shenawy; Chibi, Marei, Samy, Hamdy; El Karti, Lasheen, Toure; Fathi, Mayele, Hafez
We say: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Pyramids FC
While Mamelodi Sundowns have not been prolific in the CAF Champions League this season, their defence has been elite, and given the visitors’ struggles on the road, we fancy the Brazilians to secure a lead here to take to Egypt next weekend.
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