Mamelodi Sundowns are taking no chances as they kick off the defence of their CAF Champions League crown this weekend.
The Brazilians were exempted from the opening preliminary round, but they get their campaign underway in the second preliminary round on Sunday when they travel to Angola to face Wiliete.
The Benguela-based side booked their place in the second round after convincingly defeating Seychelles outfit Foresters Mont Fleuri in the opening round.
Sundowns to fly directly to Benguela
To make sure there are zero hiccups on what could be a tricky away assignment, Sundowns have arranged a private chartered flight straight to Benguela, coach Miguel Cardoso himself confirmed.
The Brazilians are looking to avoid the long connections and potential delays, which the region is notorious for. Cardoso’s side face the dangerous Girabola outfit at the Tundavala National Stadium in Lubango on Sunday evening.
Wiliete currently lead the way in the Angolan top-flight and are no pushovers. However, given Sundowns’ experience on the continent, they have more than enough in the locker to come away with a positive result away from home.
The Brazilians will host Wiliete in the return-leg a week later at Loftus Versfeld Stadium with a place in this year’s group stages up for grabs.
Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images