Cardoso confident of finding the answer against Maniema

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso wants to secure qualification for the CAF Champions League quarterfinals when they face AS Maniema Union at the Stade des Martyrs on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM:

Cardoso suffered his first defeat at the helm of the Brazilians as they went down 1-0 to Raja Casablanca in Morocco on January 4, with Bathusi Aubaas and Khuliso Mudau having both been sent off in a fiery encounter.

Bafana ba Style have won just one of their four matches in Group B and trail leaders AS FAR by three points in second place, while the Green Eagles are breathing down their necks a further point back in third position.

The Greens and Blacks aren't out of the reckoning yet despite not picking up a win in the group stages as three draws means they sit just two points behind Sundowns with two fixtures left to play.

Cardoso stressed the importance of not dwelling on the disappointment of the result against Raja, but rather looking ahead to the trip to Kinshasa in a bid to take a step closer to the knockout phase.

Maniema, who held Masandawana to a goalless stalemate first up on November 26, also saw their unbeaten run in the group come to an end on matchday four with a 2-0 loss to the Militarians in Meknes.

However, the DR Congo outfit have proven a tough nut to crack on home soil after playing out to successive 1-1 draws with the two Botola Pro clubs.

WHAT WAS SAID:

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso

"Now it's important to focus on the next one and look forward to what we have ahead. It's an important match now to play away with Maniema.

"So, let's recover as much as we can. Let's also see because we lost three players for the next match, let's try to see who is ready and in condition to give the answer we need.

"For sure, we will do it and see the best tactical approach so we can win the next match and make the qualification closer."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

AS Maniema Union - Bridel Efonge played a starring role in the reverse fixture at Loftus Versfeld to ensure the visitors left with a vital point. The 24-year-old goalkeeper pulled off three superb saves to deny Lucas Ribeiro, Teboho Mokoena and Arthur Sales, while he did brilliantly to prevent Kobamelo Kodisang's cutback from reaching the Brazilian striker early on.

Efonge has only conceded four goals in the competition this season and he can expect another busy afternoon against Sundowns.

Mamelodi Sundowns - Iqraam Rayners is the only player to have found the back of the net for the Brazilians on the continent this season and he had a goal ruled out against Raja last weekend for offside after latching onto Marcelo Allende's through-ball in the 19th minute.

The 29-year-old striker had the best chance just before the hosts opened the scoring, but scuffed his shot from an angle which allowed the goalkeeper to make a comfortable save.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

Matches - 3

Maniema wins - 0

Sundowns wins - 1

Draws - 2