Mamelodi Sundowns begin scouting potential Champions League opponents

Mamelodi Sundowns have started monitoring a possible CAF Champions League opponent more than two months before their title defence begins, with a scout present as Wiliete Sport Clube de Benguela SAD lost to Petro de Luanda in the Angolan Super Cup.

Sundowns, the reigning champions and the highest-ranked club in the CAF five-year ranking, will enter this season’s competition in the second qualifying round. Their status means they will not be involved when the first qualifying round begins in just over a fortnight, a stage that includes Orlando Pirates.

The South African champions are expected to face either Wiliete or Seychelles club Foresters Mont Fleuri FC in October. The two sides will meet over two legs, with Wiliete widely anticipated to progress.

That expectation has prompted Sundowns to begin collecting information on the Angolan club, who finished as runners-up in the 2025/26 Girabola. The Tshwane-based side were already assessing Wiliete during Sunday’s Super Cup fixture at the Novo Estadio de Futebol do Uige.

Wiliete qualified for the match as Angola Cup winners, while Petro de Luanda earned their place as league champions. Petro won the contest, but the game also provided Sundowns with an opportunity to study one of their likely Champions League opponents.

An observer in the stands followed Wiliete specifically to gather information for the African champions. Angolan publication Bola em Campo reported that it spoke briefly to the Sundowns scout, who confirmed the purpose of his visit.

Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has therefore begun preparations for a potential meeting with a side regarded as ambitious and equipped with notable experience. Wiliete are coached by Brazilian Beto Bianchi and have former Orlando Pirates winger Gilberto in their squad.

The CAF five-year ranking is used to determine which member associations are entitled to enter two clubs in the organisation’s competitions. It also influences the seeding for draws in both the Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.

The system is based on results achieved over the previous five years. Points are weighted according to the season in which they were earned, with more recent performances carrying greater value.

While the first qualifying round is due to begin shortly, Sundowns will have to wait until October to start their campaign. By then, Wiliete will already have begun their domestic season on Saturday and could have played as many as seven matches, including the opening Champions League qualifying ties.

If Wiliete defeat Foresters Mont Fleuri FC as expected, their meeting with Sundowns will decide which club advances to the group stage.

Sundowns are seeking to defend the continental title that helped them secure their position at the top of the CAF rankings, and their early scouting activity underlines the importance they have placed on avoiding surprises in the qualifying rounds.