Sundowns want to avoid TP Mazembe in Caf CL group stage draw

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Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has revealed that he’d like to avoid being pitted in the same group as Congolese giants TP Mazembe ahead of the Caf Champions League group stage draw.

Masandawana advanced to the group stage of the African tournament after seeing off Rwandan champions Rayon Sports 2-0 in the second-leg following a hard-fought goalless draw in the first clash.

Based on the club’s ranking in Africa, the Absa Premiership could draw African giants in Al Ahly and defending champions Wydad Casablanca, however the former Bafana Bafana coach cited Mazembe as the team that he would like to avoid.

“The challenge in the teams that have qualified for the group stage is Mazembe,” he told IOL.

“Nobody wants Mazembe around because they are not seeded. We don’t want them in our group. Let them go somewhere else. It’s interesting.

“The Champions League is beautiful. Let’s watch a different brand of football. This is good for my boys to gain experience. Let’s avoid Mazembe. I don’t want them in my group

“If we have two big giants there anything can happen,” he added.

“Mazembe can go with Esperance or Al Ahly. They must go there. Go with Wydad. We don’t want them. They must move away from us. We would be lucky to avoid them,” he concluded.

Mosimane will know the fate of his team with the draw set to get underway on Wednesday in Cairo at 17:00.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/Backpagepix

-This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za

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Marshall Gouts