Fatigue and fixture congestion threaten Mamelodi Sundowns' CAF Champions League hopes
CAF Champions League
After a tough loss in Sudan, Mamelodi Sundowns' CAF Champions League journey is at a crossroads. With tired legs and high-stakes matches against Lupopo and MC Alger looming, can Miguel Cardoso's men find the resilience to stay in the hunt? Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
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Mamelodi Sundowns’ CAF Champions League hopes are hanging in the balance, and their next two matches could determine their quest to reach the knockout stages.
On Friday, Sundowns suffered a disheartening 2–1 defeat to Sudanese powerhouses Al-Hilal in a high-stakes encounter marked by tension and expectation. The loss puts Sundowns on a precarious path, casting doubt on their Champions League aspirations.
Currently second in Group C, Sundowns find their fate increasingly out of their hands. Sunday’s match between MC Alger and FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo could see Sundowns slipping to third place should Lupopo triumph in their encounter in Lubumbashi, DRC.
This looming possibility intensifies the pressure ahead of Sundowns’ crucial matches against Lupopo next week Sunday and MC Alger the following weekend — fixtures that could ultimately define their continental fate.
Compounding the team’s challenges is a gruelling fixture schedule that has taken a significant toll on player stamina and performance. Sundowns have been on an exhausting travel itinerary, having played in Polokwane last Tuesday before jetting off on Wednesday to Rwanda for the clash with Al-Hilal just a day after arriving on Thursday.
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso expressed concern about the impact of relentless travel on his squad, noting: “It was clear at times that the team was more tired than Al-Hilal.
"Despite rotating a few players, the fatigue was evident. You feel that in the number of mistakes you make.”
Ahead of Wednesday’s Nedbank Cup match against National First Division side Gomora United at Loftus, Sundowns must focus on re-energising both physically and mentally.
With their Champions League ambitions weighing heavily on their shoulders, the team is acutely aware that their path to remaining competitive in Africa’s elite club competition depends on rectifying recent lacklustre performances and hoping for positive results in other matches.
The coming days will be crucial for Sundowns, whose aspirations to advance are now entwined with urgency and fatigue. Each match is increasingly pivotal, and the squad must muster the resilience needed to confront these challenges head-on.