Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Yanga Sibembe
Published on 2024-03-13 11:07:53
Mamelodi Sundowns continued their impressive unbeaten streak in the local DStv Premiership, reaching 42 games undefeated after a 1-1 draw with SuperSport United on Tuesday night. The draw came shortly after Young Africans, also known as Yanga, were announced as their next opponent in the Caf Champions League quarterfinals.
The upcoming clash between Sundowns and Yanga will take place over two legs, with Sundowns aiming to secure their second Caf Champions League title. While Sundowns are no strangers to the quarterfinal stage, Yanga’s presence in this round is a new milestone for the Tanzanian side. Despite their previous struggles in the competition, Yanga managed to hold onto the second spot in Group D to qualify for the quarterfinals.
Sundowns’ coach, Rulani Mokwena, expressed his thoughts on the Champions League draw, emphasizing the need to closely study their upcoming opponents during the international break. Mokwena highlighted the importance of analyzing Yanga’s strengths and weaknesses to prepare effectively for the upcoming matches.
Although Sundowns have been dominating the local league, their success in the Champions League has been a challenging journey. The team remains undefeated in the Premiership this season but understands the need for continuous improvement, as shown in their recent draw against SuperSport.
Yanga, led by former Sundowns mentor Miguel Ángel Gamondi, are well aware of the tough task ahead when facing Sundowns in the quarterfinals. Gamondi acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match, emphasizing the competitive nature of this stage in the Champions League.
The winner of the Sundowns vs. Yanga tie will face the victor of the match between Tunisia’s Espérance and Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas. On the other side of the draw, Simba, another Tanzanian team, will challenge the 11-time African champions Al Ahly. The competition promises to be fierce, with potential matchups against TP Mazembe or Petro Atlético in the final.
The quarterfinals are scheduled for late March, with the first legs set for 29-30 March and the return legs the following weekend. Details regarding venues and kick-off times are yet to be confirmed.
As Sundowns prepare to face Yanga in the quarterfinals, both teams are gearing up for an intense battle to secure a spot in the Caf Champions League semifinals. With history on the line, the upcoming matchups promise to deliver thrilling football action and test the mettle of both teams.
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