Mamelodi Sundowns vs Al Hilal confirmed lineups as Sirino and Zwane start Caf Champions League
Gaston Sirino and Zwane start while big money signing Erwin Saavedra has been named in the bench.
Mamelodi Sundowns begin their CAF Champions League group stage campaign against Al-Hilal Omdurman of Sudan at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Friday.
It is the Brazilians seventh successive group stage journey in the Champions League and have been pitted in Group A alongside the holders Al Ahly SC and Al-Merrikh SC.
Sundowns were ousted in the quarter-finals of last season’s edition by Ahly, who claimed a 3-1 success over two legs.
Masandawana’s route to the current group phase saw them edge AS Maniema in the preliminary round whereas Hilal stunned Nigeria’s Rivers United to advance.
The Brazilians have bolstered their squad for this season’s continental sojourn, with Surprise Ralani, Teboho Mokoena and Bolivian international Erwin Saavedra.
Sundowns have just restarted duty following the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations and put Richards Bay FC to the sword in the Nedbank Cup before overcoming Chippa United on Monday.
It’s not going to be the first ever encounter between the Brazilians and Hilal, as Masandawana won last year’s reverse fixture in Group B 2-0 and drew away.
Confirmed line-ups:
Sundowns XI: D.Onyango, Coetzee, De Reuck, B. Onyango, Lakay, Jali, Mudau, Sirino, Zwane, Safranko, Shalulile.
Subs: Mweene, Lunga, Modiba, Mokoena, Morena, Ralani, Kutumela, Mvala, Saavedra.
Al Hilal XI: A. Eshrein, M. Ouattara, F. Abdalla, M. Ering. W. Khedr, Aahmed Alhassan, A. Ajagun, Yousif Yagoub, Abakar Mugadam, I. Mustapha, Phri Jr.
