Sparks will fly at Azam Complex Stadium in Buganda as Bumamuru of Burundi lock horns with Mamelodi Sundowns in the second round first leg of the CAF Champions League. This match kicks off at 1 PM local time and 3 PM in South Africa on Friday.
Time to gear up for our first continental assignment of the season! 🌍
⚽ Bumamuru FC vs Mamelodi Sundowns
📆 15 September
⏰ 15H00
🏟 Azam Complex Stadium
🏆 CAF Champions League
📲 #Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/Ml29e17yqu— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) September 13, 2023
Buma have started their debut season in this competition on a good note having made a 6-2 aggregate light work of Gabonese CS Bendje in the first preliminary round to get to this stage.
On the other hand, Sundowns were waved off participating in the preliminary round and will take on this Burundi side for a place in the CAF Champions League group stage.
Rulani Mokwena's side got to the semifinals of this competition last term and will be looking to better that by going all the way to the finals this campaign and add to their previous win. But next in their way is Bumamuru who are dreaming of a maiden appearance in the group stage of this competition.
Bumamuru vs Mamelodi Sundowns probable lineups
Here are our probable lineups for this CAF Champions League match:
Bumamuru
Goalkeeper: Haile Nduwimana
Defenders: Faustin Ndikumana, Issa Hakizimana, Tombo Bangala, Chancel Ndaye
Midfielders: Mokono Eldhino, Salum Ramadhani, Tresor Ndikumana, Enock Sabumukama
Forwards: Shabani Valentin, Theodore Ngabirano
Mamelodi Sundowns
Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams
Defenders: Mothobi Mvala, Rivaldo Coetzee, Grant Kekana
Midfielders: Aubrey Maphosa, Neo Maema, Marcello Allende, Teboho Mokoena
Forwards: Junior Mendieta, Themba Zwane, Lucas Ribeiro
Bumamuru vs Mamelodi Sundowns confirmed lineups
*Lineups will be automatically updated shortly after they're released
Bumamuru vs Mamelodi Sundowns predictions
This clash is the first of two towards a place in the group stage of this competition. As such, it promises to be packed with actions as both teams fight to oust one another for a place in the profitable stage. Here are our three predictions for the match.
Prediction 1: Mamelodi Sundowns to Win
Masandawana have made light work of almost every team they've met so far this campaign, picking up seven consecutive wins before Kaizer Chiefs became the only side that have managed a draw with the PSL leaders, they'll be looking to bounce back to a winning mode in this clash with Bumamuru. Nonetheless, the homeside will put up a good fight as a decent home result can give them a fighting chance when they travel to South Africa, but despite their good efforts, we're not very confident in Vivier Bahati's outfit avoiding defeat.
Prediction 2: Mamelodi Sundowns to Open the Scoring
Rulani Mokwena's team are by far the better of these teams going into this clash, they're in such top form that scoring has not been an issue. They've scored in all eight matches played so far, totalling 15 goals; and they've only failed to score first in one occasion. The chances of them opening the scoring in this match is high and it should come through except they don't play their best in Burundi.
Prediction 3: Over 1.5 Total Goals
Both teams are coming into this clash on the back of decent games that produced at least two goals. Just like Sundowns, Bumamuru have netted in all games played this season; as these teams score, the chances of this clash seeing at least two goals are high, and we back the teams to give us just that.
Bumamuru vs Mamelodi Sundowns recent form
Bumamuru
Bumamuru have been unbeaten as well this campaign; they're on the back of two wins and a draw in their last three games. They're a side that can hold their own, and they should give the Sundowns a tough outing.
Mamelodi Sundowns
Sundowns are enjoying their best start to a league season having strung seven straight wins across all competitions before that brilliant run was cut short by Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN 8 semi-final first leg on September 2nd. They're the favourites to come out on top in Burundi and extend their current unbeaten run.
Bumamuru vs Mamelodi Sundowns Head-to-Head
This will be the first meeting between these teams as they've previously not met before. It'll be fascinating to see which team takes the head to head lead in their maiden fixture.
Where to watch Bumamuru vs Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa
Bumamuru vs Mamelodi Sundowns will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL channel and SABC channel 1. Fans can as well stream this clash on Sundowns' YouTube channel.
This article was most recently revised and updated 11 months ago
