South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns have now known their 2023/24 CAF Champions League quarter-final opponents after the draws were concluded on Tuesday, 12 March 2024.
Rhulani Mokwena's side finished top of Group A which meant they had to draw a runner-up team from a different pot.
The Brazilians will lock horns against Tanzanian giants Young Africans in the CAF Champions League quarter-final as they bid to win the title for the first time since 2016, which was their maiden triumph.
𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑴𝑷𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺 𝑳𝑬𝑨𝑮𝑼𝑬 𝑶𝑷𝑷𝑶𝑵𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑺 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑭𝑰𝑹𝑴𝑬𝑫 🔥
We have been drawn against Young Africans Sports Club in the quarter-final of the #TotalEnergiesCAFCL! 👆
Let us know your thoughts on the draw Masandawana! ⬇ #Sundowns pic.twitter.com/Va8VnqbwBE
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) March 12, 2024
While it has not been a sweet story for Sundowns in the knockout stages of this competition after they last won it, the South African side will be eager to record a back-to-back semi-final berth by dispatching the Tanzanians in this round.
Waiting for them in the last four, if they make it, will be the aggregate winner between Asec Mimosas and Tunisian giants Esperance.
This could be Mamelodi Sundowns time to win the title again
Masandawana emerged as champions of the inaugural African Football League (AFL) earlier this campaign after defeating Wydad Casablanca 3-2 on aggregate in the final.
Winning the AFL has been a strong source of motivation for Rhulani's men and the fans who have a sense of belief that the team could go all the way to making the final this time around.
The team suffered a semi-final loss to Wydad Casablanca in last season's Champions League with the away goals rule denying them a place in the final.
An unprecedented form which has created a healthy lead on top of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) table this campaign can be a defining factor for Sundowns who can actually focus on winning the CAF Champions League.
Mamelodi Sundowns record in CAF Champions League knockout stages
Since their debut in 1994 when the competition was still called the African Cup of Champions Clubs before its renaming to CAF Champions League the next year, Mamelodi Sundowns have made a total of 17 appearances.
Over these years, the club has made it to the final twice, in 2001 and 2016. They suffered semi-final defeats in 2018/19 and 2022/23, and quarter-final losses in 2017, 2019/20, 2020/21, and 2021/22 seasons.
In those eight knockout stage appearances, the club lost a final and two quarter-final bouts to Al Ahly, the perennial winners of Africa's most elite club competition.
Below is Mamelodi Sundowns record in CAF Champions League knockout fixtures. Bear in mind, we put together the aggregate scores.
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Mamelodi Sundowns record in CAF Champions League knockout fixtures |
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| Year | Quarter-final (Agg.) | Semi-final (Agg.) | Final (Agg.) |
| 2001 | Nil | Mamelodi Sundowns 2-2 Petro Atletico (5-3 p) | Al Ahly 4-1 Mamelodi Sundowns |
| 2016 | Nil | Zesco United 2-3 Mamelodi Sundowns | Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 Zamalek |
| 2017 | Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 (2-3 p) | DNQ | DNQ |
| 2018/19 | Mamelodi Sundowns 5-1 Al Ahly | Wydad Casablanca 2-1 Mamelodi Sundowns | DNQ |
| 2019/20 | Al Ahly 3-1 Mamelodi Sundowns | DNQ | DNQ |
| 2020/21 | Al Ahly 3-1 Mamelodi Sundowns | DNQ | DNQ |
| 2021/22 | Petro de Luanda 3-2 Mamelodi Sundowns | DNQ | DNQ |
| 2022/23 | CR Belouizdad 2-6 Mamelodi Sundowns | Wydad Casablanca (a) 2-2 Mamelodi Sundowns | DNQ |
Note:
DNQ – did not qualify
p – penalty shootout
a – away goals rule
This article was most recently revised and updated 7 months ago
