Mamelodi Sundowns begin their quest to return to the CAF Champions League final. The South African champions start their campaign against Saint-Éloi Lupopo on Saturday. Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria hosts this crucial encounter.
Mamelodi Sundowns earned automatic qualification to the second preliminary round as league champions.
Sundowns faced Remo Stars of Nigeria in the second preliminary round. The team demonstrated their class against the Nigerian league winners comprehensively.
Sundowns secured a commanding 5-1 victory away from home initially. They followed this with a 2-0 home victory in the second leg.
The Brazilians top the Betway Premiership table with 25 points currently. They have managed seven wins, four draws and one loss this season.
Masandawana fell agonisingly short of claiming the continental crown last season. They will seek to remind the continent of their pedigree this campaign.
The team aims to finally claim the coveted CAF Champions League trophy.
Saint-Éloi Lupopo reached the group stage through two qualifying rounds. The Congolese club fought their way through challenging preliminary encounters.
Lupopo faced Al-Merreikh of Sudan in the first preliminary round initially. They scored at home in the first leg to claim victory.
The team secured a 1-0 home win before playing a goalless draw away. This result advanced them to the next qualifying round.
Lupopo then faced Orlando Pirates in the second preliminary round. They stunned the continent by defeating last year’s semifinalists convincingly.
The Congolese side claimed a remarkable 3-0 home victory in the first leg. This result shocked continental football observers and analysts.
Pirates struggled in the return leg encounter in Soweto. The South African team scored three goals to level the aggregate score.
However, Lupopo managed a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout victory. This result secured their passage to the group stage.
Saint-Éloi Lupopo remain undefeated domestically this season. They sit second on the Linafoot table after five matches.
The club recorded three victories to start the 2025/26 season strongly. They then stalled with two consecutive draws.
Lupopo reached the Champions League second round in 2003 and 2006. The club has not participated in the tournament since 2010.
They will seek to remind the continent of their footballing ability. This represents their first Champions League appearance in 14 years.
Sundowns enter this encounter as overwhelming favourites given their continental experience. However, Lupopo’s recent giant-killing performance against Pirates demands respect.
The match promises excitement as both teams pursue continental glory.
