African Champions League defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns face St. George in penultimate group C reverse tie at Addis Ababa Stadium Saturday.
Placed joint second in the group standings with the hosts on five points – three off leaders Esperance du Tunis, any slip ups could severely dent the South African’s quarter finals chances.
Plagued by myriad of injuries in their squad, “the Brazilians” have been barely holding on. They managed just a point in their last two outings – losing 2-1 at home to Esperance and drawing away in the reverse leg in Tunisia.
The return of diminutive Zimbabwean forward Khama Billiat from a long term injury is a welcome boost for the coach Pitso Masimone’s led side. His menacing combination with Percy Tau has been loudly missed in the attack.
Ivorian Yannick Zakri has grown in leaps and bounds in the squad and can be relied upon to deliver any day.
Sundwons have proved effective on the road, a record they will seek to maintain in Addis. They thrashed AS Vita Club 3-1 in Kinshasa before the draw in Tunisia against all odds.
St. George cracked for the first in seven fixtures – going down 2-1 to Vita in Kinshasa in week four.
Having been coroneted Ethiopian champions over the weekend, their 14th title and a fourth on the trot, the Horsemen are now fully focused on making maiden quarters in the Africa’s premium club championship.
In their arsenal is the leading top scorer in the tournament Salhadin Said, who has shaken the net seven times so far.
Addis stadium is expected to hit capacity crowd. St. George is one of the biggest clubs in the country and attracts huge crowds each time they take to the field.
In the other group match, leaders Esperance will be in the DRC capital Kinshasa to face Vita.
Vita have been impressive in the local front, where they are locked in a tight for the Linafoot title with TP Mazembe. They are currently second in the playoffs – three points behind Mazembe with a game in hand.
A win for the Tunisian champions will book them a slot in the last eight. While a win for the Congolese will open up the group going into week six.
