South African team Mamelodi Sundowns have arrived Nigeria ahead of their CAF champions league preliminary round fixture against Remo Stars SC.
Sundowns will face Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) champions Remo Stars in a second-round preliminary, first-leg clash on Sunday at the 10,000-seater MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. The hosts have announced free entry for the game, ensuring a packed crowd will greet the South Africans.
Sundowns’ Coach Miguel Cardoso remains calm and composed saying;
“We have two Champions League qualifying round matches, and we are playing in Nigeria, which makes it even more difficult because we have to travel there, and the trip is obviously not easy,” Cardoso added. “I don’t relate to problems. We will see who is in the best condition to find a first eleven to start that match.”
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Thapelo Morena shares his thoughts as the team prepares to face Remo Stars in Nigeria.
“The game starts from when we land in Nigeria. We’re gonna have to put our minds in it and whatever comes our way, we just need to move it. We need to make sure that we do our level best.”
In their previous outings, Sundowns have faced Nigerian opposition three times in the CAF Champions League, each time returning home without a win. The road to success in Nigeria is notoriously difficult — few South African clubs that have ventured into this footballing stronghold have escaped without facing fierce resistance and passionate home support.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)