MASANDAWANA MENS’ AND WOMEN’S TEAMS IN COMPETETIVE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUPS

MASANDAWANA

MENS’ AND WOMEN’S TEAMS

IN COMPETETIVE

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUPS

In their pursuit of a second CAF Champions League trophy the Mamelodi Sundowns Senior men’s team and the Ladies team have embarked on a challenging journey that promises to be both exhilarating and memorable for each squad.

In the Women’s CAF Champions League, the Ladies Team has been drawn in GROUP A with host team Athlético FC d'Abidjan, Sporting Club Casablanca from Morocco and JKT Queens from Tanzania.

Drawn into Group A, the Men’s team find themselves among a mix of experienced giants and rising stars, setting the stage for a captivating group challenge.

The memory of last season's semi-final heartbreak lingers in the minds of the team, fueling their determination to make amends. With a balanced blend of seasoned campaigners and young talents carved in Coach Rulani’s tactical philosophy, the Brazilians are fully prepared to showcase their skill, passion, and relentless spirit.

The group consists of formidable opponents, Pyramids FC from Egypt, five-time champions TP Mazembe from DR Congo, and debutants FC Nouadhibhou from Mauritania.. Each match in Group A will be a test of Sundowns' mettle, but it is precisely what they need to reignite their continental dreams.

TOUT PUISSANT MAZEMBE - DR CONGO

TP Mazembe, the Lubumbashi based football giants, is undoubtedly a formidable contender in the CAF Champions League. With an illustrious history that includes five Champions League titles, including their most recent victory in 2015, TP Mazembe is aiming to secure their sixth title.

Despite the departure of legendary captain Rainford Kalaba, TP Mazembe remains a force to be reckoned with. The club holds a unique achievement of being the first to successfully defend the CAF Club Cup in the late 1960s and achieved the same feat in the early 2000s. They have also dominated their domestic league, clinching the title an impressive 20 times, making them the most successful clubs not only in Central Africa but on the African . Continent. Currently leading their domestic league and in great form with 4 wins 1 draw in the first five matches, TP Mazembe also showed their prowess by outclassing Malawian heavyweights Nyasa Big Bullets with a convincing 5-0 aggregate victory in the qualification stage of the tournament.

Players to watch:

Cheick Oumar Abdallah Fofana:
Top goal scorer extraordinaire, who possesses the ability to single-handedly change the course of a game.

Glody Likonza:
A true game-changer, capable of making those decisive moves that can sway the outcome in TP Mazembe's favour.

The clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and TP Mazembe promises to be a showcase of top-tier African football talent, rich in history and determination. It will be a highly anticipated and thrilling encounter, showcasing the best of African football.

PYRAMIDS FC EGYPT

Based in Cairo, Egypt, Pyramids FC is a relatively new but promising addition to the African football landscape. Originally established as Al Assiouty Sport in 2008, the club underwent an ownership change and a name change to FC Pyramids in 2018. Since then, they have made significant strides and achieved notable domestic success.

Despite their relatively short history, Pyramids FC has already reached great heights. They have finished as runners-up in the Egyptian Premier League on two occasions including the 2022-2023 Season, reached the finals of the Egyptian Cup twice, and even contended in the Egyptian Super Cup. Impressive performances on the African stage have also garnered attention, with the club becoming CAF Confederation Cup runners-up during their maiden appearance in 2019.

Pyramids FC are known for their attacking prowess, as evidenced by their remarkable 6-1 victory over Rwandan heavyweights Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) in Cairo, following a goalless draw in Kigali in the second preliminary round of qualification. Mostafa Fathi, their dangerman scored four goals in that game.Under the guidance of manager Pacheco, Pyramids FC is determined tomake a name for themselves in African football. Their journey is one that holds immense potential, and fans can expect exciting and competitive performances from this rising club.

Players to watch:

Mostafa Fathi:
A prolific scorer who can be the game-changer.

Fegrie Lakay:
A South African talent who adds a lethal dimension to Pyramids FC'soffence.

FC NOUADHIBOU - MAURITANIA

Mauritian rivals FC Nouadhibou are inGroup A and are making history by becoming the first Mauritian team to qualify for the CAF Champions League. Having been knocked out of the preliminary round twice before, they were third time lucky . To make it convincingly beat Mali's Real Bamako and won at the third attempt, winning an impressive 3-0 away win at the Stade Modibo Keita and securing a 4-1 aggregate score. Sidi Amar highlighted his lethal edge by scoring twice in that decisive game. Under the guidance of coach Amir Abdou, FC Nouadhibou brings a desire to write their own story on the African stage.

Players to watch:

Sidi Amar:
The main player who showed off his scoring prowess in the qualifying rounds.

Oumar Mamadou Mangane:
Another talent to keep an eye on as FC Nouadhibou look to cause an upset in Group A.

FC Nauadhibhou’s journey to the CAF Champions League is a testament to their growing determination and stamina. Venturing into uncharted territory, they aim to leave their mark on this prestigious tournament, and their young talent will play a key role in their quest for success.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES’ CAF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGES PATH

The stage is indeed set for an exciting and competitive CAF Women's Champions League in Côte d'Ivoire. Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will face a challenging path in Group A, but they are determined to create another illustrious chapter in their history.

As the champions, Having made the finals twice to win the inaugural tournament in 2021 and reaching the finals in 2022, Sundowns Ladies carry the legacy of their past success and the expectations are high. They are not only representing their club but also carrying the hopes of their supporters and women's football enthusiasts across Souther Africa.

Group B, led by reigning champions AS FAR, also features strong teams that will provide tough competition. The format of the tournament is straightforward, but it requires peak performance from all teams. Each team in the group plays against the others for a total of three matches. The top two in aech group will move on to the semi-finals, and from there, it's anyone's game.

Sundowns Ladies are gearing up for this exciting journey with a determination to excel and inspire the next generation of women footballers. The tournament will kick off between November 5 and 19 in Cote d’Ivoire (Korhogo and San Pedro)and all eyes will be on the Sundowns Ladies and their fellow competitors.

It's important to remember that success in such a tournament is not just about winning, but also about the growth and development of women's football on the continent. Sundowns Ladies have an opportunity to contribute to the growth of the sport and inspire the next generation of female footballers. We wish Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies the best of luck in the CAF Women's Champions League. May they perform with passion, determination, and the relentless spirit that has gotten them this far.

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