CAF Pressure Mounts: Sundowns in Must-Win Clash as Chiefs Eye Quarter-Final Spot

Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs will both be in continental action this weekend in their respective CAF competitions.

Sundowns face MC Alger in a must-win CAF Champions League Group C encounter as they chase qualification for the quarter-finals. The Brazilians have been a consistent force in the competition, reaching the group stages for 10 consecutive seasons.

However, Miguel Cardoso’s men head into the clash amid off-the-field controversy following the suspension of a performance analyst accused of leaking tactical information to former coach Rulani Mokwena.

Sundowns are currently third in Group C with six points, trailing leaders Al-Hilal by two points and MC Alger by one.

Victory over the Algerian outfit could see Sundowns climb to the top of the group, provided Saint-Éloi Lupopo manage to take points off Al-Hilal in the other fixture.

The Tshwane giants have regularly progressed to the knockout stages in recent seasons and were runners-up to Pyramids FC in the 2024/25 campaign.

Kick-off is set for 15:00 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, 14 February.

Images (@KaizerChiefs/ X and @Masandawana/ X)

Amakhosi, meanwhile, are competing in the CAF Confederation Cup and sit top of Group D heading into their final group-stage fixture.

Chiefs have collected 10 points from five matches, winning their last three outings in the competition. Second-placed Zamalek have eight points, while Al Masry are third with seven.

A draw away from home will be enough to secure a place in the quarter-finals, while both Zamalek and Al Masry must win to stand a chance of progressing.

Chiefs will be without defender Inacio Miguel due to injury, while Aden McCarthy is suspended after accumulating multiple cautions.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 on Saturday, 14 February, at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium.

Both South African sides will be aiming to fly the country’s flag high as they pursue continental success.