Day two of the African Champions League takes center stage Tuesday with eight matches on the cards.
Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns travel to the dreaded Stade de Martyrs, Kinshasa to face AS Vita in a group C duel billed as revenge match for the DRC side.
The coach Florent Ibenge’s outfit have an axe to grind with Sundowns whom they knocked-out of the 2016 campaign only to be reinstated after Vita were ruled out for fielding suspended Malian Idrissa Traore.
Masandawana, as Sundowns are famously known, embraced the opportunity and went ahead to clinch the title for the first time in their history after beating Zamalek 3-1 on aggregate.
Vita smarting from a 3-1 spanking away to Esperance du Tunis in day one will be keen to avoid another defeat when they face floundering Sundowns – who are fresh from surrendering their domestic title to Bidvest Wits in the Premier Soccer League.
The Brazilians coach Pitso Masimone who has lamented fatigue in his squad after about two years of non-stop football admits the fixture will be a difficult one.
“It is an extremely difficult fixture. Above all, we do not want to lose in Kinshasa. Vita are bottom of the group and our mission is to keep them there, hopefully with a win.
“After Kinshasa, we host Esperance and winning that match could get us back on track in defense of the tittle,” the 53-year-old 2016 African best coach said.
Sundowns failed to break a disciplined St. George in their opening group match Pretoria as pressure amounts.
The horsemen, as St. George are known, will host Esperance in Addis Ababa without their Dutch coach Mart Noolj, who is unwell.
Both teams were last week declared champions in their respective countries and coming into this clash on a high.
Esperance vast experience in the continent, however, is expected give them an edge over St. George, who are playing at the group for the first time.
Full Day 2 Fixtures, 23rd Tuesday
Ferroviario Beira vs Al Hilal
St. George vs Esperance du Tunis
Coton Sport vs Al Ahly
Al Ahli Tripoli vs Zamalek
Al Merrikh vs Etoile du Sahel
CAPS United vs USM Alger
Zanaco VS Wydad Casablanca
Vita Club vs Mamelodi Sundowns
