Tshegofatso Mabasa of Orlando Pirates celebrates scoring against Jwaneng Galaxy in their CAF champions League clash this past weekend. | BackpagePix
MATSHELANE MAMABOLO
THEIR participation in the CAF Champions League group stages essentially guaranteed after good first-leg victories in the second preliminary round, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates will now turn their attention to the domestic game.
The Brazilians – 4-0 victors ‘away’ to Mbabane Swallows – open the defence of their league title with a tricky Tshwane derby against SuperSport United tomorrow, while the Buccaneers, who beat Jwaneng Galaxy 2-0 in Gaborone, host Chippa United on Wednesday.
They are arguably the country’s top two clubs and the most likely challengers for the championship – although Sundowns are hot favourites to add an eighth successive title.
They will hope to kick-start their campaign with convincing victories.
Manqoba Mngqithi and Sundowns would have left Gavin Hunt a little worried given the ease with which they dispatched the eSwatini outfit who incredibly hosted their home match at their opposition’s home ground, the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Teenage debutant Asekho Tiwani spoke to us after yesterday's strong team performance and victory over Mbabane Swallows! 📹#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/CmLB2rZJxa
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) September 15, 2024
A brace by Lucas Ribeiro as well as a strike by debutant Asekho Tiwani and another by Mosa Lebusa ensured the South African champions literally rendered the second-leg match this weekend a no-contest.
Coach Mngqithi was understandably delighted that the Brazilians finally won a match convincingly after they came under scrutiny following their MTN8 semi-final defeat by Stellenbosch and their ‘unconvincing’ 1-0 win over Polokwane City courtesy of an own goal in the quarter-final.
“We always want to make sure that we excel n the games that we play. Unfortunately, when we don’t win it looks like we have not done enough. Maybe a win like this will really help in the morale of the team going into the beginning of the championship,” he said.
“For me, it is probably the most important because now that the championship has started, we have no choice but to make sure that we keep the team where it is supposed to be (on top). I am very confident that we have a good enough team to help us achieve that.”
Six wins & five clean sheets on the trot 👊
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) September 14, 2024
🏆 3-1 🆚 TS Galaxy (MTN 8)
🌍 3-0 🆚 Nszingizini Hotspurs (CAFCC)
🌍 5-0 🆚 Nsingizini Hotspurs (CAFCC)
🏆 1-0 🆚 Mamelodi Sundowns (MTN 8)
🏆 1-0 🆚 Mamelodi Sundowns (MTN 8)
🌍 2-0 🆚 AS Vita Club (CAFCC) pic.twitter.com/7JMrcg3nz1
Hunt will also be looking for a victorious opening to their campaign for Matsatsantsa.
Pirates, meanwhile, gained sweet revenge on a Galaxy outfit that embarrassed them at the same stage of the continent’s premier club knockout competition last year, by beating the Botswana champions 2-0 in the first leg. Tshegofatso Mabasa and Deon Hotto scored on either side of half-time to give Jose Riveiro’s men a victory that sets them up nicely to progress to the round robin phase.
Granted, stranger things have happened in this game, but it is highly unlikely that Galaxy will match or better that scoreline when they visit the Pirates fortress that is Orlando Stadium.
Without the pressure of having to worry much about the Champions League second leg coming up at the weekend, Pirates can invest all their energies in sending a warning to Sundowns, in particular by smashing Chippa in their league opener on Wednesday night.
The other South African teams involved in continental competition had mixed results in the CAF Confederation Cup with Stellenbosch FC beating seasoned campaigners AS Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-0 courtesy of quick-fire first-half goals by Thabo Moloisane (eighth minute) and Lehlohonolo Mojela (12th minute), after which their coach resigned.
Sekhukhune United, meanwhile, were left kicking themselves for conceding an injury-time goal at Lunda Sul to lose 1-0.
Stellies host Golden Arrows in the league on Wednesday, while Sekhukhune will welcome Premiership newbies Magesi FC in a Polokwane derby at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. Both sides, however, are sure to have their eyes on the coming second-leg matches as their continental ties are still somewhat in the balance.