Mngqithi shrugs off Sundowns 'toughest' CAF Champions League group and points to Orlando Pirates having to face Al Ahly, CR Belouizdad and Stade d'Abidja

Mamelodi Sundowns face Raja Casablanca, FAR Rabat and Maniema Union in Group B of the Caf Champions League.

This marks the tenth consecutive time Masandwana have reached the group stages, and they aim to go further this season after falling short in the semifinals against Esperance of Tunisia last year.

And now coach Manqoba Mngqithi has shared his feelings about being in what many are calling the 'Group of Death' for its tough team composition.

"There could not have been any better draw in this group stages because, if you look at it very closely, the only 'new' teams in the group stages are Maniema, maybe Stade d'Abidjan, and Sagrada [Esperanca] from Angola, who you could say are the 'dark horses'," said Mngqithi as reported by Sabc Sport.

"Then you also have an MC Alger, which is a team that was a very strong team in Algeria before going down, and now they are back again and have recruited quite well.

"So, it makes it a very difficult competition at this stage for anyone because all the groups are very tough."

"I hear people say our group is the toughest, but I look at the Al Ahly group – with [Orlando] Pirates, CR Belouizdad, and Stade d'Abidjan, and if you look at our group – AS FAR and Raja are the two teams that have been doing very well in Morocco," he defended.

"Then you go to the Esperance group, where they've got Pyramids, Sagrada, and there's that [Djoliba], which is a team that, honestly, I've never seen before, but I think it's a team from Mali, if I'm not mistaken.

"And, generally, all these groups present a difficulty for anyone, but be that as it may, if you want to win it, you want to play these kinds of matches."

The success of Mamelodi Sundowns in this Caf tournament could solidify their reputation as one of Africa's elite teams.

A strong performance in the group stages boost morale ahead of the even more treacherous knockout rounds.

Coaches have come and gone at Masandawana but nobody has been able to get them that second star they covet.

As Mamelodi Sundowns prepare for their Caf campaign, they will focus on refining their strategies and squad depth to navigate this challenging group.

They will sorely miss the class and experience of Themba Zwane as he recovers from his achillies injury that will keep him out for several months.

The coaching staff will need to ensure the players are mentally and physically prepared for tough encounters without 'Mshishi', as they seek to advance to the knockout stages and ultimately aim for the title.