Mamelodi Sundowns are set for a pivotal fixture in their CAF Champions League campaign later this evening as they travel to face Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger.
This match-up carries an extra layer of intrigue, pitting the current dominant force in African football against their former head coach, Rulani Mokwena.
Read: Mamelodi Sundowns to face former boss Rulani Mokwena in CAF clash
Now steering the ship at MC Alger, Mokwena will be desperate to stabilize his team after a discouraging start to their continental journey. MC Alger currently sits third in Group C with zero points having opened their group stage with a 2-1 defeat to Al-Hilal Omdurman last Friday in Kigali.
Sundowns, in contrast, enter the highly anticipated encounter brimming with confidence. They secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Saint-Eloi Lupopo at Loftus Versfeld last Saturday, a result that propelled them to the top of Group C, ahead of Al-Hilal on goal difference.
The victory was largely orchestrated by their formidable Portuguese duo. Forward Nuno Santos shone brightly, netting a brilliant brace, while his compatriot, Miguel Reisinho, supplied two crucial assists, highlighting the new attacking synergy at the heart of Masandawana’s success.
The performance of Nuno Santos has drawn significant acclaim from African football lovers. Speaking on Soccer Betting News, expert Mogale Sathekge did not shy away from making a lofty comparison, likening Santos to the PSL Footballer of the Season and Sundowns superstar, Lucas Ribeiro Costa.
When asked by host Desh Parthab whether Nuno Santos could be the player to guide Sundowns to the Champions League title, Sathekge’s response was emphatic, linking Santos’s rise to the absence of key creative figures.
“Obviously he’s going to be that kind of player because Shikabala is currently not playing, Themba Zwane,” Sathekge stated on the episode. He added, “Mshishi [Themba Zwane] is not there, so, Nuno seems to be the player who says to the coach, ‘You know what, this is me, use me the way you used to use Ribiero’.”
The passionate response signals Santos is ready to take on the mantle of Sundowns’ primary attacking threat, especially as the team navigates the demanding continental schedule. Kick-off for this fascinating clash is set for 21h00 later this evening at the iconic Ali La Pointe Stadium.