by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG – THE conclusion of the continent’s biggest annual club tournament begins on Saturday with Mamelodi Sundowns hosting new-kids-on the block, Pyramids Football Club.
They are set to contest the first leg of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League final at the Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
Sundowns, the undisputed South African club, has been a regular feature in this competition in recent years and will be seeking a second continental title, to add to the one clinched in 2016.
The visitors on the other hand, formed in 2008, are appearing in their first final, having already defeated a South African side, Orlando Pirates, in the semifinals.
“It’ll be great for us because we really want to make history in this club as players,” Sundowns midfielder, Aburey Modiba, said at the official final pre-conference.
The Bafana Bafana player believes their experience in the CAF tournament will prevail.
“We understand what it takes to be able to reach the final and try and win it,” Modiba said.
Portuguese’s Sundowns mentor, Miguel De Azevedo Cardoso, will be coaching in his second straight final, after his then Tunisian team, Esperance lost the last edition to another Egyptian outfit, Al Ahly.
Croatian manager, Krunoslav Jurčić, will command the rival dugout.
The second leg will be played in Egypt on June 1.
