Wounded Mamelodi Sundowns Eye Caf Champions League Final As Al Ahly Clash Looms Large At Loftus

Mamelodi Sundowns shift their focus to the CAF Champions League encounter against Al Ahly, with a place in the coveted final up for grabs when the two sides clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday 3pm kick-off.

The Brazilians brushed aside Esperance de Tunis in the quarter-finals, beating the Tunisian side 1-0 on aggregate following two intense legs over the past fortnight.

Sundowns are chasing their first final appearance since 2016. Having fallen agonisingly short in the past two seasons under current Wydad Athletic Club coach Rulani Mokwena, the hope is that it will be third time lucky for the Chloorkop-based outfit.

The Brazilians are unbeaten against the Red Devils in their last seven meetings. As they continue to lick their wounds following a surprise 2-1 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals on Sunday, they now face their sternest Champions League test yet, with little time to dwell on their domestic stumble.

With the Nedbank Cup no longer in play, this weekends match takes on even greater significance. Only two trophies remain in contention, and as the season draws to a close, the pressure to deliver continues to mount. Nevertheless, securing both the league title and the premier continental crown would mark a promising start to Miguel Cardosos tenure.