Mamelodi Sundowns is brimming with confidence ahead of their 1/16th round return fixture against AC Leopards on Saturday in Dolisie.
Sundowns heads to Dolisie with a 2-0 advantage following their first leg victory against the Congolese in Pretoria last week.
Sundowns heads to Dolisie with a 2-0 advantage following their first leg victory against the Congolese in Pretoria last week.
Though Sundowns suffered their third defeat in the South African top flight this season last Wednesday, a 3-1 home loss to Bloemfontein Celtic, the capital-based club remains four points clear at the top and on course for their 10th league crown.
The away fixture will not be an easy road for the ‘Brazilians’ against a side that won the secondary continental club championship, Orange CAF Confederation Cup in 2012.
However, Leopards coach Lamine N'diaye, will have to dig deep to outsmart the star-studded Sundowns squad that boasts quality through to the bench. The Senegalese-born coach, who guided TP Mazembe of DR Congo the CAF Champions League crown in 2009, will have to come up with a solid plan of neutralizing the on-form trio of Khama Billiat, Keegan Dolly and Leonardo Castro that has been terrorizing defenders all season. All three players were instrumental in both goals scored in the first leg and if left to have a field day, they could pose serious problems for Leopards.
Dolly, captain of the Rio de Janeiro-bound South African Olympic team, believes that a victory over AC Leopards can spur his team to go as far as the pool stages of the competition.
“Going to Congo will be a real test of character considering the back to back matches that we have had recently. Leopards have the quality and experience to come back but I am quite confident that we can match them in all areas.
“A positive win against such a club will be a big confidence booster in such a tough competition” said the young playmaker.
Sundowns go into the clash with a clean bill of health and are expected to land in Congo on Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, rivals Kaizer Chiefs travel to Abidjan as guest of Ivorian giants, ASEC Mimosas. The hosts, winners in 1998, have a lone goal advantage from the first leg.
Fixtures
Saturday, 19 March 2016
AC Leopards (Congo) vs Sundowns (South Africa) (0-2)
CNaPS (Madagascar) vs Wydad (Morocco) (1-5)
El Merreikh (Sudan) vs Warri Wolves (Nigeria) (1-0)
Vital’O (Burundi) vs Enyimba (Nigeria) (1-5)
Young Africans (Tanzania) vs APR (Rwanda) (2-1)
Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) vs OC Khouribga (Morocco) (1-1)
Ahly (Egypt) vs Recreativo do Libolo (Angola) (0-0)
Zamalek (Egypt) vs Union Douala (Cameroon) (1-0)
Sunday, 20 March 2016
ES Setif (Algeria) vs Etoile du Congo (Congo) (1-1)
Coton Sport (Cameroon) vs Stade Malien (Mali) (0-2)
Horoya (Guinea) vs Zesco United (Zambia) (1-4)
ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire) vs Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) (1-0)
El Hilal (Sudan) vs Ahly Tripoli (Libya) (0-1)
MO Bejaia (Algeria) vs Club Africain (Tunisia) (0-1)
Ferroviaro (Mozambique) vs AS Vita (DR Congo) (0-1)
The away fixture will not be an easy road for the ‘Brazilians’ against a side that won the secondary continental club championship, Orange CAF Confederation Cup in 2012.
However, Leopards coach Lamine N'diaye, will have to dig deep to outsmart the star-studded Sundowns squad that boasts quality through to the bench. The Senegalese-born coach, who guided TP Mazembe of DR Congo the CAF Champions League crown in 2009, will have to come up with a solid plan of neutralizing the on-form trio of Khama Billiat, Keegan Dolly and Leonardo Castro that has been terrorizing defenders all season. All three players were instrumental in both goals scored in the first leg and if left to have a field day, they could pose serious problems for Leopards.
Dolly, captain of the Rio de Janeiro-bound South African Olympic team, believes that a victory over AC Leopards can spur his team to go as far as the pool stages of the competition.
“Going to Congo will be a real test of character considering the back to back matches that we have had recently. Leopards have the quality and experience to come back but I am quite confident that we can match them in all areas.
“A positive win against such a club will be a big confidence booster in such a tough competition” said the young playmaker.
Sundowns go into the clash with a clean bill of health and are expected to land in Congo on Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, rivals Kaizer Chiefs travel to Abidjan as guest of Ivorian giants, ASEC Mimosas. The hosts, winners in 1998, have a lone goal advantage from the first leg.
Fixtures
Saturday, 19 March 2016
AC Leopards (Congo) vs Sundowns (South Africa) (0-2)
CNaPS (Madagascar) vs Wydad (Morocco) (1-5)
El Merreikh (Sudan) vs Warri Wolves (Nigeria) (1-0)
Vital’O (Burundi) vs Enyimba (Nigeria) (1-5)
Young Africans (Tanzania) vs APR (Rwanda) (2-1)
Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) vs OC Khouribga (Morocco) (1-1)
Ahly (Egypt) vs Recreativo do Libolo (Angola) (0-0)
Zamalek (Egypt) vs Union Douala (Cameroon) (1-0)
Sunday, 20 March 2016
ES Setif (Algeria) vs Etoile du Congo (Congo) (1-1)
Coton Sport (Cameroon) vs Stade Malien (Mali) (0-2)
Horoya (Guinea) vs Zesco United (Zambia) (1-4)
ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire) vs Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) (1-0)
El Hilal (Sudan) vs Ahly Tripoli (Libya) (0-1)
MO Bejaia (Algeria) vs Club Africain (Tunisia) (0-1)
Ferroviaro (Mozambique) vs AS Vita (DR Congo) (0-1)
By: Cafonline.com
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