The reigning CAF Champions League holders, Mamelodi Sundowns, face Wiliete SC de Benguela on Sunday in Lubango. Ahead of the first leg, head coach Miguel Cardoso has set two demands: concede nothing away from home and score at least one.
The reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, travel to Angola to take on Wiliete SC de Benguela this Sunday 18 October 2026 at 17:00 SAST, at the Estádio Nacional da Tundavala in Lubango, according to Afrik-Foot. The Angolan club, for their part, are chasing a historic qualification for the group stage against the continental giants from Pretoria.
Ahead of the match, head coach Miguel Cardoso spoke to set out the tactical demands placed on his squad. He stressed two obligations: not conceding away from home and scoring at least one precious goal.
“We approach this round with respect”
Miguel Cardoso is showing respect for his opponent. “They are one of the best clubs in the country, we understand very well the team we are facing, we have studied them very well, we approach this qualifying round with respect,” said the coach, quoted by Afrik-Foot and iDiski Times.
The respect on show does not rule out a precise plan. The coach is demanding a double requirement from his squad: no goals conceded away from home and at least one precious goal. A tight framework for a first leg whose effects will be felt in the return match.
Wiliete SC de Benguela, for their part, are facing an unprecedented occasion. The Angolan club are chasing a historic qualification for the group stage against the giants from Pretoria, Afrik-Foot reports.
The status of reigning champions
Mamelodi Sundowns arrive in Angola as reigning CAF Champions League holders, after their triumph over AS FAR in the previous edition, Foot Africa recalls.
The South African club benefited from an exemption from the first preliminary round thanks to their high CAF coefficient, the same source states. Domestically, they also go into this match after seeing one of their national records recently broken by Orlando Pirates, according to Afrik-Foot.
Loftus Versfeld for the decider
The winner of this two-legged tie will reach the group stage, scheduled to start on 27 November 2026, according to Foot Africa. The return leg is to be played in Pretoria between 23 and 25 October 2026, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The first leg will be broadcast notably by South African public broadcaster SABC Plus, according to Afrik-Foot.