Mamelodi Sundowns will go in search of a second straight CAF Champions League group stage win when they tackle Moroccan champion Raja Casablanca at the Stade El Arbi Zaouli on Saturday.
Sundowns secured their first win in December when they beat Raja 1-0 in Pretoria in what was new coach Miguel Cardoso’s first match in charge and will be seeking to complete a double over their North Africa opponents.
The Brazilians have been on a good run since then, winning three straight matches, and head into the game with confidence given Raja are struggling for consistency both at home and on the continent.
Sundowns have five points from their three games, same as AS FAR of Morocco, and will want to maintain that run to get in a good position to qualify from Group B that also as Congolese side Maniema Union on three points and Raja with one.
Head-to-head
This is just the second meeting between Sundowns and Raja and going by the 1-0 win in December, Cardoso’s men will believe that they have a chance.
The Brazilians have, however, faced off with Moroccan opposition previously, drawing 1-1 with AS FARin December, which led to the sacking of Manqoba Mngqithi, while they have played Wydad Athletic Club 14 times, winning four, drawing five and losing as many.
Form guide
Sundowns are in great form as they are unbeaten in their last seven games across all competitions, winning six of them.
Scarier for Raja, the Brazilians have only conceded one goal in that run, keeping clean sheets in the other six games, showing the daunting task the Moroccan champions have when it comes to breaking them down.
Raja, meanwhile, are underperforming both at home and on the continent as they are eighth in the league and bottom of their Champions League group.
They have lost their last two matches and have three wins in their last seven games, hardly the kind of form any team can carry into a top clash like Saturday’s.
Team news
Raja’s loss to Sundowns spelt the end for Portuguese coach Sa Pinto with Hafid Abdessadek handed the reins on an interim basis, although the changes have not stopped the slide.
Sundowns, meanwhile, have won four straight games without conceding since Cardoso replaced Mngqithi and will welcome back Khuliso Mudau and Ronwen Williams, who missed last week’s league match against Richards Bay due to suspension but Aubrey Modiba is still suspended following his red card against AS FAR.
What have they said?
Cardoso admits the match in Morocco is key as it could have a bearing on who advances to the next round.
“It's an important one, obviously, for both teams, we are entering the last round so decisive moments are approaching, and we know the responsibility of the games,” said Cardoso as quoted by SABC.
“We studied Raja very well, it's the second time we are playing against them, so despite the change of coaches, we had the proper approach in the preparations for the match.
“We had a long trip, but we are very comfortable away so we feel that we are in the right moment to face this opponent that we respect – it's two big teams playing against one another in a huge country of football.”
Time & where to watch?
The match will kick off at 21.00 at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca and will be live on SuperSport TV (SS 209) and SABC 1.
