Sundowns look a banker bet

Mamelodi Sundowns begin an 11th successive season in the group stage of African Champions League (ACL) tomorrow when they host St Eloi Lupopo of the Democratic Republic of Congo with Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch going into action in the African Confederation Cup on Sunday.

- By Mark Gleeson

Sundowns midfielder Nuno Santos. Photo: BackpagePix

(BackpagePix)

Sundowns were Champions League runners-up last season, further fuelling their long-stated desire to win the continent's top club prize again. But they have lost inspirational Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro and might not be the force they were last season.

Nevertheless, Sundowns should get through the group stage as they have done nine of the previous 10 times. They usually accomplish with some aplomb, only to falter in the knockout stages.

They must be heavily fancied to beat the Congolese at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, even if Lupopo were the conquerors of Orlando Pirates in the previous round. The Congolese do not present much of a force away from home, making Sundowns a banker bet in your TAB soccer bets for the weekend.