PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 14: Mamelodi Sundowns players during the CAF Champions League, Second Preliminary Round, 1st Leg match between Mbabane Swallows and Mamelodi Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Mamelodi Sundowns begin their CAF Champions League group stage campaign against AS Maniema Union this evening.
CAF Champions League
Teams: Mamelodi Sundowns v AS Maniema Union
Date: 26 November 2025
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
Time: 18h00
The Brazilians will be licking their wounds after losing to Magesi in the Carling Knockout final on Saturday evening, which was their third straight final loss.
Sundowns got to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League last season, but were eliminated by Tunisian champions Esperance.
Maniema Union, meanwhile, booked their spot in the group stage phase after overcoming Angolan giants Petro de Luanda 2-1 on aggregate in the second preliminary round.
The Congolese side comes into the encounter in great form after winning their last four league encounters, conceding just one goal during that period as well.
Sundowns and Maniema last met during the second preliminary round in 2021, where the South African outfit triumphed 4-2 on aggregate.
Here’s how they line up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Khoza, Mokoena, Kekana, Lunga, Morena, Kodisang, Saavedra, Allende, Sales, Ribeiro
Subs: Onyango, Modiba, Marema, Aubaas, Mkhulise, Mudau, Maseko, Mvala, Shalulile
.