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What Mamelodi Sundowns could expect in Algeria

CR Belouizdad have made a special request to their fans ahead of the CAF Champions League meeting against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The two sides will clash against each other in the quarterfinal first leg on Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Stadium at 21:00.

Usually, teams from North Africa do their utmost to intimidate visitors in order for them to find it difficult to come out victorious in their backyards.

However, Rulani Mokwena’s troops have vast Champions League experience and know how to deal with such treatment.

To ease the burden for Sundowns, CR Belouizdad have made an appeal to their fans to behave during the day. The club is against the use of lasers and the throwing of bottles and trash on the pitch.

The Algerian club wants to avoid the sanctions that could come from CAF should the fans do the aforementioned.

If Belouizdad faithful do as instructed, it would be a less hostile environment for the DStv Premiership champions.

WHAT MAMELODI SUNDOWNS COULD EXPECT IN ALGERIA

“In anticipation of the important match during which the Belouizdad team will receive the South African club Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the African Champions League quarter-finals on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Nelson Mandela Stadium (Baraqi), the Youth Administration calls on loyal supporters to avoid, throwing bottles, igniting and throwing Al-Shamarikh and the use of lasers, so that the team will not be subject to sanctions by the Confederation of African Football and depriving it of its fans in the next round,” the club said in the statement as translated from Arabic.

What could lessen hostile environment for Sundowns in Algeria?
Mamelodi Sundowns celebrating a goal against Al Ahly. Picture by Mamelodi Sundowns

Sundowns are looking to break the quarterfinal elimination curse having not passed this stage in the last three seasons.

The last time they played semifinals was in the 2018/19 season during Pitso Mosimane’s tenure.

They were eliminated by Wydad Casablanca by a 2-1 aggregate score. Meanwhile, Sundowns and Belouizdad met in the group stages in 2021.

The Tshwane giants won the first leg 5-1 while the Algerian side picked up a 2-0 win in the return tie.

RELATED STORY: Rulani Mokwena reacts to CAF CL quarterfinal draw

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