Caf Champions League: Predicting Mamelodi Sundowns' XI to face Al Ahly in sink-or-swim semi-final tie - Miguel Cardoso to start Themba Zwane and Lucas Suarez?

Should Friday's confrontation spill into a penalty shootout, Sundowns have a goalkeeper experienced for such a situation, as seen at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Mudau's experience on the right side of defence will be critical for Masandawana with his effectiveness on the right channel.

Cardoso has options to also pick Divine Lunga and Asekho Tiwani in this role, but Mudau is likely to start.

The 32-year-old is an almost obvious choice to be one of the central defenders and has always performed impressively in big games.

Mothobi Mvala is back from injury but lacks match fitness, while injury-prone Lucas Suarez looks like a risk, Cardoso is likely to go with Lebusa also ahead of an inexperienced Malibongwe Khoza.

If given a chance to shoot from distance, Mokoena can hurt the Cairo giants with his stinging shots.

The diminutive Chilean is hard-running and his graft can help the Brazilians dominate the midfield.

Although it looks like a risk throwing him into the deep end considering he is coming from a long injury layoff, Zwane did not show any signs of rustiness when he came on as a second-half substitute in the first leg and his experience is needed in Friday's encounter.

Having gone for a long spell without scoring, the Brazilian forward will need to have a strong mentality and not let the goal drought weigh him down.

Cardoso has been featuring him from the bench in recent matches, but might be forced to select Rayners in the lineup for a strong attack.

A three-pronged attack of Shalulile, Ribeiro and Rayners is something which could shake the Al Ahly defence.