Mamelodi Sundowns will be aiming for a strong start to their CAF Champions League quarter-final tie against Tanzania’s most successful club Young Africans this weekend.
Yanga host Sundowns in the first leg of what promises to be an exciting clash at the popular Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday at 20:00 (SA time).
The hosts have made tickets available free of cost to supporters in a bid to create an intimidating atmosphere at the 60,000-seater venue.
The home side is in the Champions League knockout stage for the third time and is eager to proceed to the semi-finals for the first time in their history.
However, they will need to pull out a big upset by knocking out the 2016 champions and one of the strongest sides in the African continent at the moment.
Since winning the tournament eight years ago under former coach Pitso Mosimane, Sundowns have failed to go past the semis.
However, the team has displayed growth and sharp bite under coach Rulani Mokwena who led them to the inaugural African Football League title early this season.
But the Champions League remains the holy grail of club football in Africa and the prize that Sundowns are yearning for.
"I believe that goals will be scored!"
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) March 28, 2024
African Football Correspondent Mamadou Gaye discussed this weekend's exciting #TotalEnergiesCAFCL encounter against Yanga with DJ Naves and Hlompho Kekana! 🗣
Catch the full episode 📲 https://t.co/jIXZAusm6W #Sundowns pic.twitter.com/fDdY5Qk51D
Sundowns will have to attempt to grind a positive result in Dar es Salaam without club captain and influential midfielder Themba Zwane, who is suspended for the match.
However, Sundowns have enough options in the position with Thembinkosi Lorch starting to find his feet at the club after his January move from Orlando Pirates.
Yanga may not boast the same pedigree as Sundowns in the Champions League, but they are not easy to beat at home.
During their group stages, Yanga managed to remain unbeaten at home where they held Al Ahly to a one-all draw and claimed emphatic victories against CR Belouizdad of Algeria and Ghana’s Medeama.
Last season, Yanga showed excellent growth on the continent when they reached the CAF Confederation Cup final where they went down to USM Algier of Algeria.
The side, which enjoys massive domestic rivalry with Simba, has won at least 29 titles in Tanzania.
There will be some familiar faces to Sundowns in Yanga’s camp as they are coached by Miguel Gamondi and have South African skilful midfielder Mahlatsi Makudubela in their books.
Argentinean Gamondi coached Masandawana between 2005 and 2006 while former Orlando Pirates and Platinum Stars star Makudubela came through Sundowns’ youth structures.
The team with the most points in the #TotalEnergiesCAFCL group stage is…
— TotalEnergiesCAFCL & TotalEnergiesCAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) March 21, 2024
Mamelodi Sundowns with 13 points 👏 pic.twitter.com/orDPb1hCfU
