By Michael Madyira
Fresh from international friendly matches against Andorra and Algeria, Mamelodi Sundowns take on Young Africans at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Saturday.
The Brazilians were joined by seven Bafana Bafana players in the city where they are set to tackle the Tanzanian team in a CAF Champions League quarter-final, first-leg match.
Seven players – captain Themba Zwane, goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Thapelo Morena, Teboho Mokoena, Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba and Terence Mashego – flew straight from Algeria, where Bafana was on international duty.
All the players tasted action for Bafana, with Zwane arriving in Tanzania high on confidence after grabbing a brace against hosts Algeria.
Williams was breached three times and will be hoping to recover and keep a clean sheet in Dar es Salaam with the help of defenders Kekana, Modiba, Mashego and part-time right-back Morena.
Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena is talking deep strategies in plotting against Young Africans who are under former Masandawana coach Miguel Gamondi.
“Logically, you should open up the pitch to have more space,” said Mokwena.
“I sometimes think we should switch the play but we stay where the pressure is. Playing away from pressure feels good. But most of the time you lose it later, anyway.”
It is now a full house in the Masandawana camp as they prepare to take on the Tanzanian giants who reached the CAF Confederation Cup final last season.
It is the first time Sundowns will meet Young Africans at this stage of the Champions League, after getting North African opponents in the knockouts in recent years.
Forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Thapelo Maseko and Junior Mendieta are expected back for Sundowns after struggling with fitness issues in recent weeks.
Pictured above: Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrating against TP Mazembe in the CAF Champions League.
Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns
