Downs will feel heat in Kinshasa as AS Vita seek revenge

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS are quite literally in enemy territory today as they face AS Vita Club, a side still holding a mountain of a grudge after the Brazilians took their place in the CAF Champions League last year following their disqualification.

The Democratic Republic of Congo outfit, although deservedly punished for fielding an ineligible player, still feel they were in the strongest possible position to win the tournament as they broke into the group stages.

Instead it was Sundowns who went all the way to clinch the Holy Grail, bouncing back from being knocked out by Vita in the play-offs for the group stages over two legs and again by Ghana’s Medeama at a similar stage, but in the CAF Confederation Cup this time.

Pitso Mosimane, the Sundowns coach, even claimed recently that attempts to organise a friendly match between his side and Vita was rejected, probably on the grounds that the DRC team still harboured ill feelings.

The Brazilians were on the road as early as Sunday to try and acclimatise to the hot conditions in Kinshasa and the artificial pitch they will be playing on today (kickoff 4.30pm SA time).

One man hoping to give the Brazilians the edge is Themba Zwane, especially after Sundowns’ goalless draw at home against Saint George of Ethiopia in their opening group stage fixture11 days ago.

“We know AS Vita well. We also watched their previous game (a 3-1 defeat away to Esperance) and they use their pace to go forward and they will wait for the counter. So we know what to expect,” said Zwane.