Mamelodi Sundowns face Wiliete test in CAF Champions League return

Mamelodi Sundowns must beat Wiliete SC at home on Friday, 23 October, if they are to continue their defence of the CAF Champions League title.

The South African champions host the Angolan side at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium in the second-leg tie of the 2026-2027 second preliminary round. The first meeting in Angola ended goalless, leaving the contest finely balanced ahead of the decisive match.

Sundowns created several opportunities in the opening leg but could not find a way past the Wiliete goalkeeper. Miguel Cardoso’s side will now look to make home advantage count and secure their place in the group stage.

Wiliete will travel with the belief that they can cause an upset against more experienced opposition. The Angolan club reached this round after eliminating Foresters FC of the Seychelles in the first round and have already demonstrated their ability to trouble a stronger opponent.

For the Brazilians, victory in front of their own supporters is the clearest route through. A second successive 0-0 draw could send the tie to a penalty shootout, while a draw featuring goals would put Wiliete in a favourable position.

The visitors will therefore need to balance defensive discipline with a willingness to attack if they are to extend their continental campaign.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 GMT, or 20:00 in South Africa.

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Mubarak Haruna
Mubarak Haruna is an emerging force in African football journalism, recognised for his speed, accuracy and ability to break major stories. He specialises in breaking news, match coverage and multimedia storytelling across radio, television and digital platforms.He holds a degree in Journalism from the Ghana Institute of Journalism and has developed his craft within some of Ghana’s leading media organisations. Mubarak has worked with the Multimedia Group, where he served as a sports radio and television presenter at Joy FM, while also contributing as a writer for Myjoyonline.com.Known for his sharp instincts and ability to deliver timely football stories, Mubarak has gained growing recognition for his impactful reporting and dedication to the profession.He is currently the Deputy Managing Editor of African.Football, where he plays a key role in driving editorial operations, breaking major stories and supporting the platform’s mission to deliver fast, reliable and high-quality African football content to a global audience.

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