CAF Champions League: AmaZulu Draw With Horoya AC, Mamelodi Sundowns Gear Up for Final Game Against Al Merrikh

• AmaZulu ended their debut CAF Champions League campaign with a draw against Horoya AC in Guinea
• Mamelodi Sundowns have only drawn one game in the CAF Champions League campaign thus far, against Al Merrikh
• AmaZulu were eliminated from the tournament while Masandawana have qualified for the quarter-final stage

The CAF Champions League group stages wrap up today and South Africa sides have experienced mixed results in the tournament.

AmaZulu travelled to Guinea to take on Horoya AC, with third place in the group yet to be decided. The Usuthu struggled in the first half against the hosts, as Horoya AC dominated proceedings.

The hosts had numerous chances and take the lead and finally did so on the stroke of halftime. Dramane Nikièma found the back of the net with a beautifully curled effort from the edge of the box.

AmaZulu fought back in the second half and equalised three minutes after the restart. Thabo Qalinge found his way into the box and tried to get a cross in. His effort deflected off the head of Salif Coulibaly and into the back of the net, IOL reported.

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Despite a much-improved performance in the second half, AmaZulu could not find a second goal and had to settle for a draw. AmaZulu finished third in the group on seven points, a good showing in their first-ever CAF Champions League tournament. The Usuthu did fail to win any games away from home, costing them the chance to qualify for the quarter-final stage.

The other South African side in the tournament, Mamelodi Sundowns, have had a much better tournament. Masandawana remains unbeaten in the tournament, only drawing one game, the first fixture against Al Merrikh.

Sundowns look to remain unbeaten in the tournament but have to contend with a few injuries heading into the encounter, Times LIVE reported.

Co-coach, Manqoba Mngithi confirmed that Erwin Saavedra and Gift Motupa were out injured alongside Rivaldo Coetzee. Gaston Sirino remains a doubt as does Mosa Lebusa.

The other two sides in the group, Al Ahly and Al Hilal will also be in action as they meet to decide who qualifies alongside Sundowns.

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Mamelodi Sundowns reward fans returning to stadiums, give away free tickets to CAF Champions League game

Football fans are still celebrating the news that supporters can finally return to stadiums after two years. Football games in the country were played without fans in attendance due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but are now allowed to have fans filling 50% capacity of the stadiums.

Mamelodi Sundowns are the first big South African team to play a home game following the announcement, as they host Al Merrikh in a CAF Champions League encounter. Sundowns will host the Sudanese side at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 2 April.

With Sundowns already having qualified for the quarter-final stage, the club have decided to reward their fans, The South African reported. Sundowns top Group A and cannot be dethroned from the top spot, Sports Brief earlier noted.