Downs face Algerian side in Champions League quarterfinal
Mamelodi Sundowns have been drawn with Algerian side CR Belouizdad for the quarterfinal stage of the Caf Champions League.
The Brazilians will know CR Belouizdad well as the Algerians stunned them 2-0 in Pretoria during the group stages in 2021 — but that defeat did not come at a cost for Sundowns as they had already qualified for the knockout stages.
Sundowns, who have just won their sixth and record-extending successive Premier Soccer League (PSL) title, go to the quarterfinal with confidence sky high after an impressive group stage in which they won four and drew two.
CR Belouizdad will also not be short of confidence as they finished second in a group that was won by vastly experienced Tunisian giants Esperance by one point.
If they get to the semifinal, Sundowns will play the winner of the other quarterfinal match between Simba and defending champions Wydad.
In the Confederation Cup draw, Marumo Gallants were drawn against Egyptian side Pyramids.
Gallants are in the middle of a storm with two employees, Rufus Matsena and Tebogo Dhlomo, still stuck in Libya.
Media officer Matsena and physiotherapist Dhlomo have been effectively held hostage in the North African country for two weeks after the team’s Confederation Cup game against Al Akhdar.
Matsena and Dhlomo were held after the club allegedly failed to pay money owed to Libyan businessman Ali Elzargha, who helped the club with their travelling arrangements.
Caf Champions League, quarterfinal draw: Simba (Tanzania) v Wydad (Morocco), Al Ahly (Egypt) v Raja (Morocco), Belouizdad (Algeria) v Sundowns (South Africa), JS Kabylie (Alegeria) v Esperance (Tunisia)
Caf Confederation Cup, quarterfinal: Pyramids (Egypt) v Gallants (SA), US Monastir (Tun) v ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast), USM Alger (Algeria) v ASFAR (Morocco), Rivers United (Nigeria) v Young Africans (Tanzania). — TimesLIVE