Mamelodi Sundowns face USM Alger in the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane on Sunday, with both sides carrying important selection concerns into the showpiece.
The South African champions of the Champions League meet the Algerian winners of the Confederation Cup in a contest between the two leading club sides from the continent’s secondary competitions.
Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns manager Miguel Cardoso must decide whether to risk two influential players who are carrying injuries.
Captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams remains a major doubt, as does star midfielder Teboho Mokoena. Cardoso is unwilling to take unnecessary physical risks with key members of his squad before the final.
Right-back Khuliso Mudau will not be involved after being officially ruled out.
There is better news in defence, however, with Mothobi Mvala having fully recovered and available to start. His return gives Cardoso another option at the heart of the Sundowns back line.
The probable Mamelodi Sundowns line-up is:
Goalkeeper: Ricardo Goss
Defenders: Thabang Matuludi, Mothobi Mvala, Malibongwe Khoza, Aubrey Modiba
Midfielders: Nuno Santos, Bathusi Aubaas, Marcelo Allende
Forwards: Antonio Van Wyk, Brayan Leon, Siyanda Ndlovu
USM Alger
USM Alger go into the final with a focused squad but will also be without two important attacking players.
Houssam Ghacha and Mohamed Bouderbal were unable to travel after suffering injuries before the team’s departure. Their absences leave coach Lamine Ndiaye with fewer options in the forward positions for the meeting with Mamelodi Sundowns.
The probable USM Alger line-up is:
Goalkeeper: Oussama Benbot
Defenders: Haithem Loucif, Saadi Radouani, Che Malone, Achref Abada, Rayane Abdelmadjid Mahrouz
Midfielders: Zakaria Draoui, Glody Likonza, Aime Tendeng
Forwards: Mohamed El Amine Ramdaoui, Dramane Kamagate
The final will therefore bring together a Mamelodi Sundowns team dealing with doubts surrounding Williams and Mokoena, and an USM Alger side missing Ghacha and Bouderbal from its attacking options.