Mamelodi Sundowns will begin their continental campaign against DR Congo's FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in a Group C fixture broadcast live across South African networks. The Tshwane-based club enters as overwhelming favorites with an 88 percent win probability, seeking to advance from a section that includes Al Hilal Omdurman and MC Alger.
Sundowns captured their sole continental championship in 2016 and have maintained dominance domestically with 15 league titles under ownership from mining executive Patrice Motsepe. Coach Manqoba Mngqithi leads an unbeaten squad featuring Themba Zwane and Teboho Mokoena as they pursue qualification for the knockout rounds.
Lupopo makes its inaugural group stage appearance after navigating preliminary rounds, with the Lubumbashi-based railway workers' club competing as underdogs despite recent domestic struggles. The top two finishers from the section will progress to the elimination brackets.
Sundowns captured their sole continental championship in 2016 and have maintained dominance domestically with 15 league titles under ownership from mining executive Patrice Motsepe. Coach Manqoba Mngqithi leads an unbeaten squad featuring Themba Zwane and Teboho Mokoena as they pursue qualification for the knockout rounds.
Lupopo makes its inaugural group stage appearance after navigating preliminary rounds, with the Lubumbashi-based railway workers' club competing as underdogs despite recent domestic struggles. The top two finishers from the section will progress to the elimination brackets.
