Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC out to prove why PSL is boss as they begin Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup group stage campaigns

Sundowns will open their group campaign with a clash against AS Maniema Union at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday, hoping to bounce back from a heartbreaking Carling Knockout final defeat.

The Tshwane giants were shocked by minnows Magesi in a domestic cup final last time out and now have to go all out in the Champions League to somewhat salvage their campaign.

The pressure is mounting on new head coach Manqoba Mngqithi who replaced Rhulani Mokwena in the hot seat after the latter left the club after failure to meet expectations.

Mngqithi will be well aware that his team’s performance in the Champions League will likely determine his future at the club, especially now that they have lost out on two domestic trophies.

The outspoken mentor, though, will bank on the experience his side has gained in the Champions League over the years, winning it back in 2016 and then going deep on many other occasions.

"If you choose to become a coach, you must expect that in this space our jobs are always under scrutiny every week because we have to deliver,” Mngqithi said in a recent presser.

The shock defeat to Magesi broke a run of four consecutive wins in all competitions for Downs and they will hope to go on another run, starting with the side from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Buccaneers have certainly been on the up since Spanish mentor Jose Riveiro took over and will look to continue their upward trajectory in this season’s Champions League.

They exorcised the demons of last season when they crashed out in the preliminary rounds at the hands of Jwaneng Galaxy, whom they defeated this time around to exact sweet revenge.

Pirates already have a domestic trophy in the bag in the form of the MTN8 and they also currently lead the pack in the PSL, perched atop the standings ahead of defending champions Sundowns.

Their attention turns to the big one, the Champions League, a trophy Riveiro will be desperate to recapture for the club having last won it way back in 1996.

They will travel to face Khanyisa Mayo’s CR Belouizdad from Algeria in their opening group game on Tuesday away from home, eager to start their group stage campaign on a high note.

The Cape Winelands outfit might have lost many of their star players over the last few seasons, however, their steady progress has not been hampered.

After a fairytale season last term, which saw them bag their maiden domestic trophy, as well as clinch a historic Confed Cup spot, Stellies will aim to make their mark.

Barker has continued to build a solid team season after season despite losing top talents like Ashley du Preez, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Junior Mendieta, Iqraam Rayners and Deano van Rooyen to name a few.

This season, they have players like Lehlohonolo Mojela and Ashley Cupido stepping in and looking to continue where the departed stars left off.

Barker’s side begin their Confed Cup group stage journey with a trip to Mali for a date with Stade Malien on Wednesday, a match that promises to be a huge test.

If they are to have a dream debut campaign in the competition, Stellies will have to start strong and set the tone for the rest of the tournament.

The Brazilians are in a tricky Group B alongside the DRC’s AS Maniema Union, their first opponents as well as Morocco’s AS FAR and Raja Casablanca.

Maniema are flying high in Ligue 1 after going undefeated in their opening seven fixtures and will pose a serious challenge for Downs, regardless of their experience.

They will also have to negotiate tough battles with Moroccan giants AS FAR and Raja Casablanca, both of whom are capable of beating any opponent on their day.

Bucs are in for a tough challenge as they have been pitted against record-winners Al Ahly, Algerian giants CR Belouizdad, as well as Ivorian club Stade d’Abidjan in what is perhaps the group of death.

Percy Tau’s Egyptian outfit Al Ahly will likely pose the biggest threat to Pirates in the group while Mayo’s Belouizdad will also take some beating.

Riveiro’s side, however, will be quietly confident heading into the battle as they are currently in red-hot form in all competitions.

Barker’s charges are in Group B alongside Mali’s Stade Malien as previously mentioned while the likes of RS Berkane and Angola’s Clube Desportivo da Lunda Sul complete the group.

Moroccan outfit Berkane are undoubtedly favourites to top the group given their experience in the competition while Stellies will look to fight tooth and nail to progress out of the group as well.