No stage too big for Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates youngsters show mettle for Caf football

Betway Premiership giants Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates drew first blood against their north African opponents in their respective first legs of the CAF Champions League and kept the all-South African dream final alive as they have one foot in the semi-finals.

Both sides will not have it easy though, with both their opponents being the leading sides in their respective domestic leagues. It therefore not a foregone conclusion that the South Africans will make the next round despite their advantage.

Brazilians striker Peter Shalulile was on target as Sundowns secured a tense 1-0 win over Tunisian outfit Esperance de Tunis at the Loftus Versveld Stadium, while substitute Mohau Nkota's second-half strike ensured that Pirates secured a hard-fought 1-0 win away from home against Algerian side MC Alger at the July 5th 1962 Stadium in Algeria on Tuesday.

Both sides will be in action next week in the second leg of their respective matches and here Obakeng Meletse looks at the three important talking points ahead of their return fixtures.

Nkota loving continental football

Nkota scored his third career Champions League goal after coming on from the bench to rescue a match for the Buccaneers, who had to soak in a huge amount of pressure from the home side.

Relebohile Mofokeng was the provider in a match where he was uncharacteristically quiet, with Nkota adding the composed finishing touches. 

Mbekezeli Mbokazi had yet another game to remember in his young Pirates career. In a stadium filled to capacity, the 19-year-old weathered the early storm from the home side and ensured they leave Algeria without conceding any goals.

All three youngsters will once again be required to play an important role when the two sides meet again at the Orlando Stadium next Wednesday (6pm kick-off).

No stage is big enough for the well-travelled Brazilians.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso’s knowledge of his former club is the cherry on top to their experience in Champions League football.

The Portuguese mentor reached the final of the 2023/24 campaign before losing to Al Ahly (1-0) while he was still coaching the same Esperance side he is currently plotting to eliminate.

His knowledge of the club and familiar surroundings will come in handy to mentally prepare his side for what will be a hostile atmosphere, and while a large part of this group was part of the team that lost the semi-finals against the Tunisian side last season (2-0 aggregate), they should expect a more attack-minded Esperance, especially in front of their home fans.

Potential all South African final on the cards?

Uncertain at this stage but with both teams virtually having taken a huge step towards the semi-finals, they could be on the verge of history. 

The 1-0 narrow wins will still require a huge amount of work to be done, particularly for Sundowns, who still have to face the travelling difficulties and challenges that come with playing away from home in the continent, but working massively in their advantage is having not conceded any goals.

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers' solo goal away from home was golden, and even though they will be playing in front of their fans, the Algerian outfit showed the danger they carry in attack and they should not be taken lightly.