Mamelodi Sundowns begin their CAF Champions League title defence with a challenging trip to Angola, where they face Wiliete SC in the first leg of their second preliminary-round tie on Sunday.

The Brazilians head into the encounter riding a wave of confidence after a memorable week that saw them defeat Orlando Pirates to lift the MTN8 trophy before recording a convincing 4-1 victory over Richards Bay in the Betway Premiership. Sundowns remain unbeaten in the league after nine matches, underlining their impressive domestic form.

Their attention now turns to continental football, where they will be determined to build on last season’s historic achievement.

Sundowns claimed their second CAF Champions League crown in May, defeating Morocco’s AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate in the final. Teboho Mokoena’s crucial goal in the second leg and Ronwen Williams’ penalty save helped secure the trophy, ending the club’s decade-long wait for another continental title.

Coach Miguel Cardoso will now be targeting back-to-back triumphs, although the opening assignment presents a difficult challenge.

Wiliete have enjoyed an excellent start to their Angolan league campaign, collecting 16 points from their opening six matches to sit at the top of the standings. They also demonstrated their attacking ability in the preliminary round, defeating Seychelles outfit Foresters FC 5-0 on aggregate.

The Angolan side have conceded just twice in the league, making them a potentially stubborn opponent on home soil.

Cardoso has warned against complacency, recognising that Wiliete’s strong domestic performances demand respect. Sundowns may also rotate their squad following a demanding run of fixtures, but maintaining their competitive standards will be essential.

The first leg offers the defending champions an opportunity to establish an advantage before the return fixture in South Africa on October 23. With their confidence high and continental ambitions renewed, Sundowns will be eager to demonstrate that last season’s triumph was the beginning of a new era of dominance.

However, Wiliete’s unbeaten start suggests the Brazilians will need patience, discipline and clinical finishing to begin their title defence successfully.

Sources:

https://blog.hollywoodbets.net/soccer/caf-champions-league-soccer/exclusive-sikhosana-backs-sundowns-to-defend-the-caf-champions-league-crown/

https://africa.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/50194594/wiliete-vs-mamelodi-sundowns-kick-team-news-caf-champions-league-clash