Crucial tie to decide Downs’ Champions League fate 

After a week of anticipation and eagerness, the day has finally come when the fate of Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League will be decided this afternoon at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
 
The Brazilians will be hosting Moroccan giants AS FAR Rabat in their final Group B encounter. This game will determine whether the Brazilians will advance to the knockout stages of the competition.
 
Sundowns are currently number two on the table with eight points. They are one point behind Rabat, who are sitting on nine points and have already qualified for the Last 8 round.
 
Coached by Miguel Cardoso, Sundowns only require a draw to ensure that they cement their spot in the quarterfinals for the sixth consecutive time.
 
However, it could have been worse for Masandawana, as they smashed and grabbed a late win against DR Congo’s Maniema Union last Saturday in Kinshasa.
 
Thanks to a brace by lethal Namibian striker Peter Shalulile, who came off the bench to seal what was a crucial three points and their first win away from home for the Brazilians.
 
So, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions will not want to take a gamble and play for a draw today, as they are expected to use their home ground to their fullest advantage and go for nothing less than three points.
 
“We are expecting a tough battle; they will come with a lot of confidence and will want to make things difficult for us but we have to be patient, play our own game and that is how we will win the game,” said Sundowns talisman Iqraam Rayners.
 
“They will probably want to sit back and allow us to come at them because they are on top of the group. But for us to topple them and finish on top, we need to push ourselves, score goals and that way we will win the game.”
 
Should Masandawana manage to get a result today, they will join fellow PSL counterparts
Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC in the next stage of the CAF interclub competition.
 
Their monetary gain for qualifying for the quarterfinals will be $900 000 (R17.2-million) from CAF. Stellenbosch is participating in the CAF Confederations Cup and will also receive a hefty qualification prize money.
 
The Sundowns and Rabat game is set to get underway at 6pm.
 

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