Sundowns and Raja Set for CAF Champions League Showdown Under New Leadership

Mamelodi Sundowns are back in the CAF Champions League, and they have a new approach with their recently hired head coach, Miguel Cardoso, guiding them against Raja Casablanca. The Group C match will happen at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday, starting at 3:00 PM CAT.

The appointment of Cardoso, formerly of Esperance, dominated South African football headlines this week. After resolving work permit issues, the Portuguese coach is ready to make his Sundowns debut on the touchline.

Masandawana, under previous coach Manqoba Mngqithi, began their CAFCL campaign with back-to-back draws against Maniema Union and FAR Rabat. They are in second place in Group C despite their strong start, with Raja Casablanca at the bottom following a 2-0 loss to FAR Rabat and a 1-1 draw with Maniema Union.

Cardoso emphasized his vision of a cohesive and consistent team to secure dominance in Africa's premier club competition. “Controlling the game means being solid in all four moments of the match. True winners come from consistency, not perfection,” he said.

Key Players to Watch

• Mamelodi Sundowns: Marcelo Allende – The Chilean playmaker, pivotal in Sundowns’ midfield, will aim to unlock Raja’s defense with his creativity and vision.
• Raja Casablanca: Mouhsine Bodda – Raja’s midfield engine will face a tough challenge in combating Sundowns’ possession-heavy style, making his performance crucial to the team’s success.

Head-to-Head

This will be Mamelodi Sundowns and Raja Casablanca's first-ever CAF Champions League encounter.

The game on Sunday looks to be a high-stakes contest for continental glory, as both clubs are vying for their first group-stage triumph.