Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Tiyani Mabunda is anticipating a tough encounter against Otoho dÓyo from Congo-Brazzaville in the preliminary round of the first leg CAF Champions League clash against away on Sunday.
The Brazilians traveled to the central African country on Thursday. Mabunda says they have studied their opponents’ video.
The reigning league champions started their campaign with a bang with a 2-0 win over arch-rivals SuperSport United at home last weekend.
They have been starting their league campaigns slowly in the previous seasons and Mabunda is pleased with a good start.
The former Black Leopards player was part of the Bafana Bafana team that took part at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
He did not feature in any of the matches. All Bafana players were given a two-week break upon returning and Mabunda says he kept on training hard.
Sundowns won their fourth league trophy in six seasons under the head coach Pitso Mosimane.
They also won the CAF Champions League in 2016. Mabunda says Mosimane has kept them grounded to achieve more.
Sundowns have a big year ahead of them as they will be attempting to win the league for the third time, which will make it a record tenth times since the league was launched in 1996/97 season.
They will also attempt to win the champions league for the second time to celebrate their 50 years anniversary, according to Mabunda.
The Brazilians have only signed three players in this transfer window in Uruguayan striker Mauricio Affonso, Nyiko Mobbie from Free State Stars and Sammy Seabi from Polokwane City. Mabunda says Seabi will add more strength in the middle. – Report by Vincent Sitsula
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