Mamelodi Sundowns will be bracing themselves for a tough Caf Champions League semi-final first leg encounter. This as they take on Esperance at a sold-out Olympic Stadium in Tunisia.
The game is set to get underway at 9pm (SA time) on Saturday.
Sundowns and Esperance will be meeting for the first time in the Champions League since 2017.
Tunisians have the upper hand
The Tunisian giants go into the encounter with an upper hand, having won two and drawing three. While Sundowns managed one win of their last six meetings.
Masandawana find themselves in the same position as last season. They only reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.
However, with their heartbreaking previous experience in the competition — where they lost to Wydad Casablanca due to an away-goal rule, coach Rulani Mokwena and his troops will be gunning to register a goal away. They are hoping to avoid yet another upset.
Ahead of the blockbuster, Mokwena acknowledged that his side has grown in the continental competition over the years.
Back-to-back semifinals
“If you look at the last couple of years, we have shown that it’s probably true. But for the first time in the club’s history we have done back-to-back semifinals,” Mokwena said.
“We have a clear understanding that actually the Champions League starts in the knockouts. And the responsibility of the group stages is to make sure that you qualify. There goes our objective number one.”
Mokwena added that Masandawana’s run in the domestic league, while also having to focus their attention on arguably their biggest target, the Champions League is testament that they have what it takes to achieve the biggest prize on the continent.
“I’m proud of this group, proud of the success they have had in domestic competitions. I don’t even have to look where Al Ahly is in their domestic competition or where Wydad is.
“This is testament to what this group has managed to achieve. Back-to-back league titles, back-to-back semifinals,” he added.
