Mamelodi Sundowns switch their focus to the CAF Champions League when they visit Democratic Republic of Congo side AS Maniema Union in the second preliminaryon Sunday afternoon.
Teams: AS Maniema Union v Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 17 October 2021
Venue: Stade des Martyrs
Time: 16h00
The Brazilians had a bye in the opening round of the tournament and will want to set the tone again after their impressive showing in the group stage campaign last season, where they finished top of their section by four points.
However, Sundowns could not get past the knockout stages, as they were dumped out by former coach Pitso Mosimane's Al Ahly 3-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.
The Tshwane giants will welcome back Mosa Lebusa after he was withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana squad with injury.
On the other hand, Maniema will be looking to cause a huge upset, as they are inexperienced at this level, having qualified for the first time.
The Congolese side had to go through the first preliminary round where they beat Gabonese outfit Bouenguidi 3-1 on aggregate to setup a meeting with the 2016 champions.
The winner on aggregate will qualify for the group stages while the loser will drop down to the CAF Confederation Cup last round of qualifying.
Sundowns: D.Onyango, Mudau, Lakay, B.Onyango, Lebusa, Jali, Coetzee, Zwane, Kutumela, Safranko, Shalulile.
Subs: Pieterse, Maluleka, Modiba, Morena, Mkhulise, Sirino, Domingo, Erasmus, Vilakazi.
