Caf Champions League: Predicting Mamelodi Sundowns' XI to face Petro de Luanda

4:15 AM SGT 17/4/22

Masandawana will be looking to grab an important away win in the quarter-final first-leg match which will be played in Angola on Saturday.

Rivaldo Coetzee is set to miss this match after Downs co-head coach Manqoba Mngqithi revealed that the defensive midfielder is nursing a long term injury.

While Erwin Saavedra is likely to make his return from injury this weekend having played his last match for the Tshwane giants two months ago.

Brian Mandela is also available for selection after serving his suspension against Sudan's Al Merrikh in what was Downs' final Group A game two weeks ago.

GOAL predicts Masandawana's starting line-up ahead of their clash with Petro at Estadio 11 de Novembro.

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GOALKEEPER - Denis Onyango

The Sundowns club captain is back from injury having started the team's last two Premier Soccer League matches.

Onyango will be determined to keep his second successive clean sheet and lead his side to a win in Luanda.
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RIGHT-BACK - Khuliso Mudau

The new Bafana Bafana international looks set to get the nod ahead of Thapelo Morena having made Downs' right-back position his own.

Mudau will be up against former Sochaux's left-winger Anderson Cruz, who featured in all of Petro's six group stage matches.
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LEFT-BACK - Lyle Lakay

The experienced full-back's delivery from free-kicks and set-pieces could be key to Sundowns securing a win in South West of Africa.

Lakay provided the assist for Sundowns' second goal as they thumped Lamontville Golden Arrows 6-0 in a PSL clash on Tuesday.
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CENTRAL DEFENDER - Brian Mandela

The departure of Ricardo Nascimento has seen Mandela's rise to become a regular for the reigning PSL champions this term.

The former Maritzburg United centre back's aerial prowess will be important when Downs defend against aerial balls.
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CENTRAL DEFENDER - Rushine De Reuck

Sundowns' first-choice centre back was rested against Arrows and he is expected to start this weekend.

De Reuck is most likely to be assigned to man-mark Petro's dangerman Tiago Azulao, who is this season's Champions League joint top-scorer with four goals.
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CENTRAL MIDFIELDER - Andile Jali

The experienced midfielder has had to operate in a deeper position in midfield with Coetzee out due to injury.

Jali will be keen to dominate the midfield battle when he comes face to face with Petro's Brazilian midfielder Soares.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDER - George Maluleka

Coetzee's injury has seen Maluleka getting regular game time in the last few weeks.

This will be an opportunity for the former Kaizer Chiefs star to impress and further cement his place in the starting line-up.
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ATTACKING MIDFIELDER - Themba Zwane

The accomplished playmaker was in his element against Arrows as he provided three assists on the night.

Zwane will be eager to replicate the same form when he faces the 15-time Angolan champions.
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LEFT FORWARD - Bradley Ralani

The 33-year-old attacker has fitted into this Sundowns' team like a glove having joined the club just three months ago.

Ralani has scored twice in his last three competitive matches including one against Al Merrikh earlier this month.
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RIGHT FORWARD - Gaston Sirino

The former Club Bolivar star is enjoying his football once again at Sundowns and he could be the man to torment Petro's' defence.

Sirino produced a Man of the Match performance against Summerfield Dynamos last weekend, before opening the scoring in their win over Arrows.
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CENTRE FORWARD - Peter Shalulile

Undoubtedly among the best footballers based in Africa at the moment, the lethal forward has scored hat-tricks in back to back PSL matches.

Shalulile will be keen to take his hat-trick-scoring form into the Champions League having netted in each of his last two matches in the continental tournament.