By Kunle Solaja

South African giants, Mamelodi Sundowns, will face significant injury concerns when they take on Nigerian champions, Remo Stars, in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second-round tie in Abeokuta on Sunday.

They will be without one of their most versatile players, Thapelo Morena, who suffered an injury in the 35th minute of Bafana Bafana’s crucial 3-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying victory over Rwanda earlier in the week. Morena, known for his pace and flexibility as both winger and fullback, limped off and was later confirmed to be unavailable for the weekend’s continental assignment.

Adding to the team’s worries is striker Iqraam Rayners, who has reportedly been withdrawn from the squad for medical reasons. Rayners, one of the club’s dependable attacking options, was expected to provide additional firepower in the forward line, but his absence leaves a void that coach Rulani Mokwena must quickly address.

There are also concerns about residual fatigue among several first-team players who featured heavily during the just-concluded international window. With South Africa’s World Cup qualification now secured, many Sundowns players have had little rest before returning to the rigours of continental club football.

Another long-term absentee is Themba Zwane, the influential playmaker whose creativity and experience have been sorely missed. Despite his absence, Mamelodi Sundowns have shown their remarkable squad depth — a quality that has kept them at the summit of the South African Betway Premiership and made them perennial favourites in Africa’s top club competition.

Probable Starting Line-up (4-3-3 Formation)

Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams
Right Back: Khuliso Mudau
Centre Backs: Keanu Cupido, Malibongwe Khoza
Left Back: (To be decided, possibly Aubrey Modiba)
Midfielders: Marcelo Allende, Teboho Mokoena
Forwards: Kutlwano Letlhaku, Jayden Adams, Arthur Sales, Peter Shalulile

As the South Africans prepare for their return to Abeokuta — their first visit since their 2-0 defeat to Julius Berger FC in August 2001 — the injury setbacks could influence how they approach the crucial first leg against a Remo Stars side eager to cause an upset.

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Mamelodi Sundowns’ preparations for their CAF Champions League second-round showdown against Nigeria’s Remo Stars have been rocked by a sudden departure of their Brazilian star, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, the reigning Premier Soccer League (PSL) Footballer of the Year.

Ribeiro’s unexpected exit has forced the South African giants — famed for their Brazil-style yellow and blue attire and Samba-inspired attacking flair — into a tactical rethink just days before Sunday’s first-leg encounter in Abeokuta.

The first leg will take place at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta — Remo Stars’ adopted home ground for the continental competition — while the return fixture is scheduled for Pretoria, South Africa.

New head coach Miguel Cardoso has acknowledged the vacuum left by Ribeiro’s departure but insists that the reigning South African champions are evolving into a more collective and balanced unit.

“No player will replace Lucas because that’s not what we are looking for,” Cardoso told reporters following Sundowns’ first league defeat of the season.
“We are looking to reinforce the team and make it completely different. Ribeiro was unique, but now we must play more as a collective.”

To that end, the Tshwane-based side have turned to Portugal for reinforcements. Cardoso confirmed the signing of Portuguese playmaker Nuno Santos from Vitória Guimarães, while another Portuguese midfielder, Miguel Reisinho, is reportedly close to joining the club to bolster creativity in midfield.

Despite this transition phase, Sundowns remain one of Africa’s most formidable teams, boasting enviable squad depth and continental pedigree as former CAF Champions League winners and runners-up in last season’s edition.

Remo Stars Ready for the Challenge

For Remo Stars, the tie represents both a historic challenge and a golden opportunity to make a continental statement. The Nigerian champions, debuting at this elite stage of the competition, will face their toughest test yet against the vastly experienced Sundowns.

Head coach Daniel Ogunmodede is expected to rely on the pace and penetration of Adams Olamilekan and the creativity of Ebuka Anthony to trouble the South Africans’ well-drilled defence.

A Rivalry Rekindled

Beyond the football itself, this fixture rekindles the storied Nigeria–South Africa football rivalry that has long defined the African game — from fiery clashes between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana to club-level duels that have shaped CAF competition narratives.

Matches between clubs from both nations are often emotionally charged, symbolizing not just competition but continental pride and supremacy.

As the countdown begins to Sunday’s showdown in Abeokuta, and the return leg in Pretoria on October 26, both teams know that pride, prestige, and progression are on the line.

For Remo Stars, it’s a chance to script history. For Mamelodi Sundowns, it’s about proving that even without their Brazilian talisman, their “Samba football” still dances to an African rhythm.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Mamelodi’s talismanic Brazilian player, Lucas Ribeiro Costa has made a sudden departure from the club which is well known for its Brazil-styled football attire. The departure of the player has forced a tactical reset at Sundowns ahead of the CAF Champions League second round clash with Remo Stars.

On the other hand, Nigeria’s champions, Remo Stars, are bracing up for a titanic CAF Champions League second-round showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa — a fixture that not only promises fireworks on the pitch but also rekindles one of African football’s most intense rivalries.

The first leg of the tie will take place in Abeokuta, the temporary home ground of Remo Stars with the return fixture scheduled for South Africa.

Sundowns, are continental heavyweights — former African champions and perennial campaigners known for their fluid attacking football.

However, the South Africans will enter this contest amid tactical reshuffling following the shock departure of Ribeiro, their Brazilian talisman and last season’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) Footballer of the Year.

New coach Miguel Cardoso has acknowledged the impact of Ribeiro’s exit but insists the Tshwane-based side are evolving into a more unified team rather than relying on individual brilliance.

“No player will replace Lucas because that’s not what we are looking for,” Cardoso told reporters after Sundowns’ first league loss of the season.

“We are looking to reinforce the team and make it completely different. Ribeiro was unique, but now we must play more as a collective.”

Cardoso revealed that Sundowns have recruited Portuguese playmaker Nuno Santos from Vitória Guimarães and are closing in on another Portuguese midfielder, Miguel Reisinho, to enhance their creative options.

Despite this transition phase, the South African champions remain formidable, boasting one of the continent’s most technically balanced squads. Their clash with Nigeria’s Remo Stars — debutants in this elite stage — offers a fascinating contrast between experience and ambition.

Beyond the football itself, the fixture taps into a storied Nigeria–South Africa rivalry that has shaped African football narratives for decades — from national team duels at the Africa Cup of Nations to club-level battles in CAF competitions.

Matches between sides from both nations have often been fierce, emotionally charged, and symbolic of continental supremacy.

For Remo Stars, this encounter represents both a massive test and an opportunity to make a statement.

The Ikenne-based side, known for their youthful energy and tactical discipline, will aim to upset the odds against one of Africa’s richest and most accomplished clubs.

Their head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, is expected to lean on the attacking prowess of Adams Olamilekan and the creativity of Ebuka Anthony to breach Sundowns’ disciplined defence.

With pride, prestige, and progression on the line, all eyes will be on the two legs of this Nigeria–South Africa contest — a battle that goes beyond footballing tactics to touch the nerve of a continental rivalry steeped in passion and history.

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