Teams: USM Alger v Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 28 December 2019
Venue: Omar Hamaadi Stadium
While the rest of the Absa Premiership is on a break, Mamelodi Sundowns will switch their focus to the CAF Champions League this evening when they tackle USM Alger out in Blida.
The encounter will get underway at 18h00
The Brazilians occupy top spot in Group C with four points after beating Petro de Luanda 3-0 in their opening game and followed that up with a goalless draw at Wydad Casablanca on 7 December.
Masandawana's last competitive outing finished in a 1-0 win over Polokwane City in the Absa Premiership last Saturday and it remains to be seen whether fatigue or concentration levels will not be a concern, with the team not taking a break during the festive period.
Sundowns were victorious in their last trip to Algeria after goals from Tiyani Mabunda and Khama Billiat secured a 2-0 win over ES Setif in the 2016 group stages.
The Algerian side, meanwhile, are winless after their first two games in the section following two 1-1 draws against Wydad Casablanca and Petro de Luanda. However, they sit second in the group with two points and could leapfrog Sundowns with a win this evening.
Alger: 1. Zemmamouche, 22. Meftah, 4. Kheiraoui, 3. Hamra, 19. Cherifi, 23. Koudri, 17. Benkhelifa, 11. Zouari, 26. Benhamouda, 15. Ardji, 9. Benchaa.
Sundowns: 14. Onyango, 16. Ngcongca, 4. Langerman, 2. Madisha, 6. Arendse, 15. Jali, 8. Kekana, 18. Zwane, 27. Morena, 10. Sirino, 9. Affonso.
Subs: 1. Mweene, 29. Soumahoro, 13. Mabunda, 7. Lakay, 11. Vilakazi, 25. Maboe, 21. Mkhulise.
