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Mamelodi Sundowns, March 2026Backpage
Sinolwetu Tompela

Mamelodi Sundowns cautioned for CAF Champions League second leg as Stade Malien coach Mauril Njoya boldly declared - 'We will turn the situation around in Bamako'

Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Stade Malien vs Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Premier Soccer League
Mamelodi Sundowns FC vs Marumo Gallants
Marumo Gallants
Stade Malien
CAF Champions League

The Tshwane giants have set the tone for the second leg after putting a healthy number of goals past their opponents at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday night, but the Malian outfit mentor remains confident that they can turn the tie around when they host the return fixture in Bamako.

  • Mamelodi Sundowns, March 2026Backpage

    Commanding lead for Masandawana

    Mamelodi Sundowns secured a comfortable 3–0 win over Stade Malien in the CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg, setting up an away clash with the pressure off.

    However, despite the aggregate score line suggesting a straightforward path for the Pretoria team, the visitors’ camp remains defiant ahead of the return fixture. 

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  • Njoya issues a stern warning

    Coach Mauril Njoya has warned Mamelodi Sundowns that the tie is far from over, insisting his side can still turn things around in the second leg.

    The tactician felt his side was architects of their own downfall in Pretoria, but believes the homecoming will spark a drastic change in fortune.

    “I can say there is a lot of regret because we gave Mamelodi Sundowns an easy win,” Njoya said as quoted by Sportswire. 

    “In Bamako, we will show who we are."

  • Reinforcements on the horizon

    The Malian side arrived in South Africa significantly depleted, but Njoya is banking on the return of his key personnel to flip the script.

    “I also have to say we have a lot of injured players and players who were suspended. In Bamako, we will have all of them back. I can tell you, we will turn the situation around in Bamako.”

    Despite the Brazilians dominating, the coach refuses to attribute the result to Sundowns’ superior structure.

    “I think we gave too much away to Mamelodi Sundowns,” he added.

    "This is not because of their experience in the Champions League or because they were stronger than us. In football, such things can happen.”

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  • Mamelodi Sundowns, March 2026Mamelodi Sundowns

    The promise of a miracle

    The task remains challenging for the West Africans, who must now score at least three times against a Sundowns side known for their ball retention and defensive organisation.

    Nevertheless, Njoya has promised a fight to the finish, even suggesting the tie could go the distance to a penalty shootout.

    “I think the next match won’t be the same, and I can promise you that we are going to win in Bamako. Even 3-0, or through penalty kicks, I don’t know — but we have to score goals, many goals,” he concluded.