Mamelodi Sundowns will welcome Stade Malien to Pretoria on Friday evening for the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarter-final tie.

The South African club continues its pursuit of another continental title, hoping to lift the trophy again for the first time since their triumph in 2016.

That victory came during the presidency of Patrice Motsepe, marking one of the most significant moments in the club’s history.

Since that success, Sundowns have remained among the most competitive sides in African club football.

Despite regularly progressing deep into the tournament, the Pretoria-based team has yet to reclaim the title.

Last season they reached the final but ultimately fell short after losing to Pyramids FC, missing out on the opportunity to secure a second Champions League crown.

Mixed group-stage campaign

The current campaign has presented a number of challenges for Sundowns.

Although they managed to advance to the knockout rounds, the club finished second in their group behind Al Hilal Omdurman, a result that reflected a less dominant group-stage performance than in previous seasons.

Despite that outcome, Sundowns remain one of the favourites in the competition due to their experience and the strength of their squad.

Their quarter-final opponents, however, arrive with a strong record of their own.

Stade Malien top their group

Stade Malien secured qualification for the knockout stage by finishing first in their group with 11 points.

The Malian side ended the group phase ahead of Espérance Sportive de Tunis, demonstrating their ability to compete against some of the continent’s most established teams.

Their performances during the earlier stages of the tournament have earned them a place among the final eight clubs competing for Africa’s most prestigious club title.

First leg in Pretoria, return match in Bamako

Friday’s meeting in Pretoria will mark the opening chapter of the two-legged quarter-final tie.

Both teams will aim to secure a positive result before the decisive second leg, which is scheduled to take place a week later in Bamako.

With a semi-final place at stake, the contest between the South African runners-up and the West African group winners promises to be a compelling encounter as the Champions League knockout stage gathers momentum.