AFTER indifferent outcomes earlier this month, Mamelodi Sundowns have transformed into a racing certainty to reach the group stage of CAF’s blue-riband club competition, the Champions League.
Sundowns suffered back-to-back MTN8 defeats to Stellenbosch FC and then last week bounced back with an emphatic 4-0 win against Mbabane Swallows of Eswatini at the Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
Swallows surrendered their home-ground advantage because their Eswatini venue did not conform to the required standards set by CAF.
On Saturday evening, Swallows will return to Atteridgeville for their Champions League second preliminary round, second leg clash.
The 4-0 deficit after the first leg seems that qualifying for the group stage is a pipe dream for Swallows now that Sundowns have regained their best form, which was in evidenced again in Tuesday night’s Tshwane derby against SuperSport United, which they won 2-0.
Masandawana enjoyed 72 percent possession in that Betway Premiership match.
Brazilians coach Manqoba Mngqithi has lined up his Bafana Bafana trio of Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau and Teboho Mokoena for Saturday’s match after resting them against SuperSport.
Mngqithi was not happy with the side’s performance despite finishing runaway winners against Swallows.
At the time, Mngqithi said: “I am unhappy because we got a lot of other chances that we could have scored, and we didn’t take those chances. I would like us to improve our movement and schemes in the final third.”
With his three Bafana stars returning to the starting line-up on Saturday, Mngqithi hopes to close out the team’s preliminary round campaign with another emphatic performance.
On Saturday evening some 14km away, Orlando Pirates will host Botswana visitors Jwaneng Galaxy in the second leg of the second preliminary round (6pm).
In last week’s first leg, the Buccaneers scored in either half for a 2-0 victory over Galaxy at Botswana National Stadium.
Unlike Sundowns, Pirates did not have a first preliminary round bye. Saturday’s match will be their fourth game in the continental competition and after their 2-0 win, the Sea Robbers placed one foot in the group stage.
Tshegofatso Mabasa and Deon Kavendji secured the triumph with a goal in each half.
Last season, Galaxy caused a major upset after the tie was decided by a penalty shootout, which they won 5-4 at Orlando Stadium. After each side won their home matches 1-0 for a 1-1 aggregate, the dreaded shoot-out was needed to separate the teams.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro admitted that last year’s elimination at the hands of Galaxy was a motivating factor for his side as they faced the Botswana outfit for a second straight season.
Pirates warmed up for Saturday’s match in Orlando with a home Premiership fixture against Chippa United last night, which they won 2-1. It was the first Premiership fixture of the season for both teams.
Elsewhere in the country, Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch are making their final bids to reach the group stage of the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup.
Sekhukhune host Angolans Lunda Sul on Saturday evening at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Last week, Lunda Sul scored an injury-time goal and will enjoy a 1-0 advantage going into the second leg.
Sekhukhune coach Lehlohonolo Seema missed last week’s match because he was attending a coaching course in Lesotho, but he’ll be present to guide his charges at the Polokwane venue.
On Sunday, South African fans will keep their fingers crossed for Stellenbosch, who face AS Vita Club in Kinshasa, DR Congo. Steve Barker’s side won the first leg 2-0 at Cape Town Stadium last week.