Mamelodi Sundowns CAF Mission Begins in Congo!
This weekend, Mamelodi Sundowns embark on their quest to claim the CAF Champions League title as they prepare for battle against AS Maniema Union in the first leg of the second Preliminary Round that will be played in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday. The Tshwane Champions will be looking to revive their continental presence after falling out in the quarterfinals of the competition in their previous campaign when they came face to face with Al Ahly. The weekend’s encounter will be taking place at Stade Des Martyr, Kinshasa Congo DR.
Who is AS Maniema Union?
AS Maniema Union are known Association Sportive Maniema Union or the Green and Blacks in Kindu, Maniema Province. AS Maniema was only founded in 2005 and they currently occupy position number six in the Congolese top level of professional football league, Linafoot. Maniema consists of young players in their squad and currently their youngest stars are two 20-year old defenders.
AS Maniema Current Form:
Maniema have won two of their last three games in their domestic league as they head into the weekend’s encounter on a good run of form. The “Green and Blacks” made their intentions clear after brushing aside their opponents with a 3-1 aggregate victory over Bouenguidi Sports in the first preliminary round, to see themselves into this fixture against The Brazilians.
Players to watch:
– 24-Years-old Jackson Lunanga Sankiaro forms part of the Congolese National team and plays as a goalkeeper will be a challenge to Downs’ strikers. The young goalie was recently involved in the Congo National team’s quest to qualify for the World Cup in the FIFA 2022 Africa World Cup qualifiers. Lunanga is only on his second season with the club and previously played for Vita Club in the Lita football league.
Kitwa Kalowa is amongst the danger men for the Central Africans, he is amongst the trusted goal scorers in the team. Kalowa added to the scoresheet for Maniema in their 2-0 victory in the second leg of their first preliminary round against Bouenguidi to help his team advance to the next round.
