Yanga out to disappoint Sundowns

Young Africans attacking midfielder, Mahlatsi Makudubela, says the club has done its “homework” on their CAF Champions League opponents, South African champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, as the two sides prepare to clash in the second leg of the Quarter-Finals tonight at Loftus Versveld in Pretoria.

Muda wa maandalizi yetu ya mwisho kuelekea mchezo wetu wa robo fainali #CAFCL dhidi ya Mamelodi Sundowns FC kesho🔋💪🏽#TimuYaWananchi #DaimaMbeleNyumaMwiko pic.twitter.com/JMnwHsycfJ

— Young Africans SC (@YoungAfricansSC) April 4, 2024

Makudubela, who is affectionately known as Skudu, was speaking from the Loftus Stadium yesterday, ahead of the big showdown that was preceded by a highly entertaining, but tactical 0-0 stalemate in Dar Es Salaam last Friday.

In Sundowns, Makudubela comes up against a side that he featured for in the reserve side and says he alongside his coach Miguel Gamondi, who was assistant coach at the club in their 2005/06 season league title triumph, have a better understanding of their opponents that they can use to their advantage.

“I think there is a lot that I can share with my colleagues. I have done that before but with the coach having coached the team before, he knows the Sundowns culture. Mamelodi Sundowns culture has never changed, it has been the same and credit to the technical team who have done the analysis of the team. We are quite aware of what we can do, and we have done our homework” said a confident Makudubela.

Getting ready for the big one! 🙌

📍 Loftus Versfeld Stadium#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/il7dBxAw5g

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 4, 2024

Continental football is certainly not new to the skilful forward who was part of the Marumo Gallants team that went all the way to the semi-finals of last season’s CAF Confederation Cup before being scouted by the Tanzanian giants.

“I am going to make South Africans very proud by winning with a Tanzanian team,” joked Makudubela as he concluded.

Meanwhile, another Tanzanian giant in Simba AC has a huge task ahead of them on Friday as they aim to overturn a narrow 1-0 first leg defeat to reigning champions, Al Ahly in Cairo.

Simba suffered the narrow defeat after doing well to dominate the defending champions, but failed to find the back of the net.