Sundowns and Al-Ahly to revive Champions League rivalry

Mamelodi Sundowns and Al-Ahly will once again renew their rivalry in the Caf Champions League after being drawn in the same group.

However, the tie will not have a much fanfare as recent meetings whn Pitso Mosimane was calling the shots at 10-time African champions.

The North African and South African giants were in the same group last season as well, with Downs emerging as the group winners, only for Masandawana to succumb in the quarterfinals against Petro Atletico, while the Red Devils lost the final against Wydad Casablanca.

ALSO READ: Sundowns revving Shalulile’s engine ahead of PSL return

The group is almost identical to that of last season as Al Hilal Omdurman iare also part of Group B. 2008 Champions League runners-up, Coton Sport of Cameroon compete the group.

The first match between the two was the 2001 Champions League final where Downs lost over two legs.

Butsince then, the Brazilians have enjoyed some success against the most successful club on the African continent. Rulani Mokwena’s side did a double over Ahly in the last Champions League group stage, which made it sweet for Sundowns as the Red Devils were coached by “Jingles” at the time.

Meanwhile, defending champions Wydad Casablanca will take on Petro Atletico, JS Kabyile and Democratic Republic of Congo giants AS Vita.

Caf Confederation Cup debutants Marumo Gallants will represent Mzansi in the Caf Confederation Cup and they have been pitted with USM Alger of Algeria, FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo from the DRC, as well as Libya’s Al Akhdar.

The two competitions are set to kick off the group stages in February next year, with Downs playing their opening game at home against Al Hilal. Meanwhile, Gallants