The Brazilians begin CAF Champions League action against eSwatini giants
Mamelodi Sundowns begin their quest for CAF Champions League glory with a preliminary round clash away to Mbabane Swallows of eSwatini on Saturday.
Sundowns have been criticised following their less than impressive start to the season which has seen them eliminated from the MTN8 by Stellenbosch FC.
The Brazilians started their season with an unconvincing 1-0 victory against Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-final, a game in which they needed an own goal to win, before they lost 2-0 on aggregate to Stellenbosch FC in the semis.
What has been worrying for Sundowns fans is the fact that their team, usually known to be attack-minded, have not scored a goal, shining the spotlight on coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
Excuses will not be tolerated
Mngqithi replaced Rulani Mokwena but has not hit the ground running following the early season setback.
The tactician has defended his team, saying it is normal to struggle at the start of the season, but excuses will not be tolerated in the Champions League given it is the failure to succeed on the continent that led to Mokwena’s dismissal.
Head-to-head
Sundowns go into the match as favourites to win despite their early season struggles and face a Swallows team that have played just two matches this season.
The eSwatini champions faced Ferroviario Beira of Mozambique in the first preliminary round last month, winning 1-0 on aggregate, after a 1-0 victory at home and a goalless draw away, and have not been involved since.
Sundowns, meanwhile, have played three MTN8 games which gives them an edge and they were exempted from the first preliminary round.
Looking at Sundowns’ recent performances at such a stage should give their fans confidence as they thrashed Burundi’s Bumamuru FC 6-0 on aggregate to make it to the group stage last season before going on to lose 2-0 on aggregate to Esperance de Tunis of Tunisia in the semi-final.
Team news
Sundowns’ main worry is the fitness of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams who has been nursing a shoulder injury that has kept him out since July.
Mngqithi had said last month that the goalkeeper might be involved in the MTN8 semi-final second leg but he did not feature and also missed Bafana Bafana’s two games against Uganda and South Sudan which means the Ballon d’Or nominee might not still be ready.
Jody February will likely slot in goal but in other areas, Sundowns have an embarrassment of riches while new striker Iqraam Rayners will finally get a chance to play after missing the MTN8, having featured for his ex-club Stellenbosch FC before he crossed over to Chloorkop.
What have they said?
Williams said the criticism Sundowns have received is set to wake up the beast in them, starting with Saturday’s encounter.
“Sometimes when setbacks happen so early, it is for even greater things to come,” the goalkeeper said on Marawa Sports Worldwide this week.
“So, people should be careful to write us off too early and I am glad that it happened so early because now, it is going to ignite something different in us.
“Knowing how crazy we are over winning, and we crave that all the time, and that is what we are about as a team and we want to be the best in everything. So, now we have lost out and you will see the anger and you will see a different Sundowns in the next few weeks and months.”
Time and where to watch
The match will kick off at 21.00 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday and will be live on SABC 3.
Why are Sundowns playing away match at home?
The Swallows are hosting Sundowns in South Africa owing to a lack of an approved stadium in eSwatini which should give the Brazilians an extra edge.
