Mamelodi Sundowns have found out their group opponents for the 2023/24 CAF Champions League group stages.
The South African giants received a bye to the second preliminary round of the competition following their PSL league triumph.
They went on to grab a ticket to the group stages after defeating Bumamuru from Burundi over two legs.
They are one of the most prominent teams in the CAF Champions League but have not enjoyed a lot of success.
The 2023/24 groupings for the tournament will now see Mamelodi Sundowns take on some of Africa's best as they look to seal a second continental title.
Bafana Ba Style have been drawn in Group A for the 2023/2024 #TotalEnergiesCAFCL Group Stages along with:
– TP Mazembe
– Pyramids FC
– FC NouadhibouLet us know your thoughts on the draw Masandawana! 👆#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/KE35xcnkIr
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 6, 2023
Mamelodi Sundowns face TP Mazembe in CAF CL group stages
Two of Africa's biggest football institutions, Mamelodi Sundowns and TP Mazembe will slug it out for a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
The South African side and the Congolese side occupy group A alongside Pyramids FC from Egypt and FC Nouadhibou from Mauritania.
Already, predictions are rolling in about Mamelodi Sundowns and TP Mazembe topping the group to make it to the quarter-finals but those in the know will not discredit the others in the group.
Pyramids FC do not have history in the competition but are a team that causes opponents to quake in their boots back home in Egypt.
They were also given a bye to the second preliminary round of the group stage qualifiers and threshed their opponents, APR FC of Rwanda, 6-1 to seal a ticket.
The CAF Champions League draw has been made!
Who will be this year's winners?#beINCAFCL #CAFCL pic.twitter.com/AY6Y4WKWQM
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) October 6, 2023
FC Nouadhibou braved the hurdle of Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya, one of the most famous CAF CL teams, in the first preliminary round.
Their 2-1 aggregate scoreline from that game helped set up a meeting with Réal Bamako of Mali in the second preliminary round, who they dispatched with a 4-1 aggregate scoreline to grab a ticket.
Their status as rookies compared to Mamelodi Sundowns, TP Mazembe and Pyramids could help them in their quest for immortality.
The draws held in Johannesburg, South Africa and Masandawana were represented by coach Rulani Mokwena and a few other match officials.
Mokwena will hope to make history as the youngest manager to lift the CAF Champions League title at the end of the competition.
Full CAF Champions League draws with Mamelodi Sundowns leading group A
Mamelodi Sundowns fans are currently preparing for their MTN Super8 final with Orlando Pirates but they will also be keeping one eye on the Champions League match schedule which is yet to be realised by CAF.
Masandawana will be travelling to North Africa only once, which is good news for the club's travelling supporters until the knockout rounds come round.
The first games of the group stages will be played on 24/25 November 2023. Here are the groups in full.
Group A: Mamelodi Sundowns, Pyramids FC, TP Mazembe, FC Nouadhibou
Group B: Wydad AC, Simba SC, ASEC Mimosas, Jwaneng Galaxy
Group C: Esperance de Tunis, Petro Luanda, Al Hilal, Etoile du Sahel
Group D: Al Ahly, CR Belouizdad, Young Africans, Medeama SC
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
