Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking to secure qualification to the next stage of the CAF against five-time winner TP Mazembe at the Loftus Versfeld today.
The Brazilians have been nothing short of amazing this year and will enter the fixture in high spirits following a dramatic last-minute victory over Stellenbosch in the league.
Mazembe will be desperate to go home with the full-point tally as a defeat here would put them in a hammer-and-anvil situation on their way to CAF knockout stage qualification.
Mamelodi leads the group by seven points after three games, and Mazembe will look to exploit any slacking off from the hosts. However, one goal in three games so far hardly testifies to big trouble for the Downs, at least on paper.
Mamelodi Sundowns Team News
Manqoba Mngqithi will likely mull over how to fill the defensive hole left by R. Nascimento, who will be suspended. The other notable absence for the Downs is centre-back Brian Onyango, who is still on the sidelines with a thigh injury he picked up against SuperSport United in January.
Peter Shalulile, however, will be looking to extend his top form, having scored in five successive Mamelodi games, including a goal during their visit to Stade TP Mazembe earlier this month.
TP Mazembe Team News
TP Mazembe coach Mihayo Kazembe will likely be displeased with the absences of attacking midfielder Glody Likonza and centre-back Kevin Mondeko, who are expected to return in April and May, respectively.
However, he would hope his side will scoop inspiration from the 6-0 thrashing over RCK from five days ago.
Predicted Line-Ups
Mamelodi: Onyango, Morena, De Reuck, Lebusa, Lakay, Maboe, Coetzee, Mikhulise, Sirino, Shalulile, Zwane
Mazembe: Mounkoro, Ochaya, Mwape, Chongo, Mpeko, Kalaba, Kouame, Kisangala, Djede, Kouyate, Ushinidi
Stats and Form
Mamelodi have scored 1.62 and conceded 0.47 goals on average this season.
Mamelodi have score 36% of their goals in the last five minutes of the first and second halves.
Mamelodi have scored 15 and conceded three in their last five games.
Mazembe have won two out of their last five games.
Mazembe have scored nine and conceded two in their last five games.
Coach Pre-Match Comments
Mngqithi:“Truth be told, we also want to close this chapter of the Champions League as quickly as possible.
“We are looking at a chance of getting three points, the interesting thing about the game tomorrow is that they have the pressure to come at us and that creates an open game that suits a team like Mamelodi Sundowns. We always thrive against teams that come at us”
Kazembe has been silent on the second tie so far, but said before the 1-2 defeat from two weeks ago: “This is a very big game for us, and we have no option but to go all out and win this game because we have played two games and picked draws without scoring.
“This is the time we must find the goals and be able to win. We need to become more clinical at goal because that is what will win us matches and take us to the next stage.”
Where can I watch the game?
Mamelodi Sundowns vs TP Mazembe will be televised on beIN Sports HD 3, beIN Sports 2 and bet365 live streaming. The match starts at 16:00 GMT.