Pro Philani looks back at the weekend’s CAF Champions League draw which saw Mamelodi Sundowns grouped with Al Ahly again.
Mamelodi Sundowns were confirmed in Group B of the 2022/23 CAFCL season following a draw held at the CAF headquarters in Cairo.
The South African champions were pitted against Al Ahly SC of Egypt, Al Hilal of Sudan and Coton Sport of Cameroon.
Sundowns are familiar with Al Ahly and Al Hilal, as they were drawn in same group as the duo last season. The Brazilians took six points from both these sides, home and away, and will be looking forward to cementing their position on the continent among the giants.
2019: ✅
— KingFut.com (@King_Fut) December 12, 2022
2020: ✅
2021: ✅
2022: ✅
2023: ⏳
For the fifth successive time, Al Ahly will meet Mamelodi Sundowns in CAF Champions League 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hVIqUzl5h4
With Pitso Mosimane no longer at Al Ahly, there is another South African in the Ahly team, Percy Tau. The former Sundowns marksman is in his second season at Ahly and has been struggling with injuries. But with his former development coach Rulani Mokwena, now head coach at Sundowns, it remains to be seen how Tau will handle pressure in both legs.
The 10-time CAF Champions League winners will be fancied to progress from this tough group, but with Sundowns, Al Hilal and Coton Sport, it won’t be easy for the Egyptian giants. Mokwena will know that it won’t be easy for his side either, as besides Ahly, Masandawana will have to contend with the Cameroonians who contested the 2008 final. Al Hilal will be looking to become the first East African side to win the championship and that is a big motivation for the Sudanese side.
Here are the rest of the fixtures:
🚨 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗗:
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) December 12, 2022
Mamelodi Sundowns will face Al Ahly on match day three and four on 24/25 February and 4 March, but will kick off their CAF Champions League group stages at home against Al Hilal on 10/11 February. https://t.co/w4kibBnunk pic.twitter.com/FM0w8Vcy8P
