Last year, the club spent the biggest amount of money to buy players on the African continent. Their coach Rulani Mokwena must make that count for something, at least.

Denis Onyango and his Mamelodi Sundowns shook the North African giants in 2016 when they went all the way to win the coveted CAF Champions League.

From then on, reigning champions Wydad Casablanca, Egypt's Al Ahly and Esperance from Tunisia have won twice each to stamp the authority of the north.

The Brazilians welcome Sudanese giant Al Hilal on Saturday as they try once more to upset the status quo set by the dominance of the Egyptians and Maghreb moneybags.

Last year, the club spent the biggest amount of money to buy players on the African continent. Their coach Rulani Mokwena must make that count for something, at least.

"The Champions League is important for Mamelodi Sundowns football club, especially with the objectives set. We plan to try our best to win every match and competition," Mokwena said.

Al Hilal is not in the tournament for fun. The side that reached two finals in 1987 and 1992, failed to progress beyond the group stages in the last three consecutive seasons.

However, the Sudanese giants made a statement with the addition of decorated Congolese national Florent Ibenge.

"Al-Hilal is doing very well in the league and we’ve managed to get a few of their videos against Simba SC and Azam FC," Mokwena revealed part of his strategy to approach the game. The match will be played at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium from 3 pm.

Kambale's job

The other twin in the Omdurman derby, El Merrikh has travelled to Tunis to face Esperance. Their group D also has Zamalek from Egypt and CR Belouizdad from Algeria. 

Kambale left Express last year and was listed for continental duties for the club.