There were mixed fortunes for Premier Soccer League clubs participating in the group stages of the CAF TotalEnergies Champions League and Confederations Cup respectively.
Mamelodi Sundowns will have a difficult task, when they face former coach Rulani Mokwena who is currently at the helm of Algerian giants MC Alger in Group C of the Champions League.
The group also comprises Al Hilal of Sudan, and Democratic Republic of Congo’s FC St Eloi Lupopo, who recently beat Orlando Pirates to reach the group stages.
Reacting to the draw, Sundowns veteran Themba Zwane said it’ll be an interesting encounter to face his former mentor.
“With coach Rulani, obviously he’s a good coach and we know each other.
It’s going to be an exciting game to watch when we play against him.
But for us we’re just going there to win the game, not to prove the point, but to put the team in a right position to qualify for the next round,” said Zwane.
Regarding Lupopo, Zwane said they’re aware about their danger, and will analyse them more after getting past Pirates.
“We watched them play against Pirates, and we’ll surely analyse them again.
It’s an exciting group.
I know we have a good team to compete with, good quality players.
We must bring our A game, to all the matches, and put the team where it can qualify for the next round,” remarked Zwane.
Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs, who made a return to the continental competition after nearly five years, were drawn in the tough Group D of the CAF Confederation against Egyptian giants, Zamalek, fellow Egyptians Al Masry and ZESCO United from Zambia.
Chiefs Sporting Director, Kaizer Motaung Jnr, has described the draw as exciting, adding that they have history with some of the clubs in the group.
“Apart from the opponents, things we look at are logistics, environment, and I think we’re very fortunate with that role, in terms of two trips to the north of the continent.
We have a little bit of history with Zamalek.
I think you heard the stats, last time we played them was 1993, I think that time the club lost in away goal rules.
Al Masry, again a top club, and I think it’s two clubs in the same country, and it kind of helps us plan.
We have a bit of history with ZESCO too, the last time they beat us 5-2, and we’ve never beaten a Zambian team,” explained Motaung Jnr.
Stellenbosch FC on the other hand, have been drawn against CR Belouizdad (Algeria), AS Otohô (Republic of Congo), and Singida Black Stars (Tanzania) in Group C of the CAF Confederation Cup.
“Once you get to the group stage, there are no easy teams.
All the teams have done well and deserve to have reached this stage of the competition.
It’s an interesting draw for us to be playing against different types of opposition.
It will be a test for us, especially in terms of our away fixtures to Congo, Tanzania, and Algeria,” said Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker following the draw.
