There’s a huge boost for Mamelodi Sundowns this coming weekend when it comes to their first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round qualification.
La Passe from Seychelles have decided to take their match to South Africa and the venue to be used is likely to be Loftus Stadium on Sunday, iDiski Times have learnt even though the are yet to announce the news.
Seychelles, just like many countries on the African continent, have been barred by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) not to host Champions League matches at home as they have not met CAF strict requirements.
Sundowns suffered a similar fate last season, as CAF did not approve Lucas Moripe Stadium and Loftus Stadium to be used in the CAF Champions League.
Despite Sundowns having initially played at Loftus on 24 October last year in the second preliminary round, beating Maniema Union 2-0 to advance by 4-2 on aggregate to the group stages.
But when it came to the group stages of the competition, CAF inspected the venues and Lucas Moripe and Loftus were not approved.
This led to Sundowns being one of many clubs affected as there were renovations to the main dressing rooms at Loftus and it was not clear what was the issue at Lucas Moripe Stadium. Sundowns opted to play their group stage matches at FNB Stadium and Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
They played at Royal Bafokeng in Rustenbirg, beating Sudanese side Al Hilal 1-0. They then moved to FNB Stadium, beating Pitso Mosimane’s Al Ahly 1-0 in the match-day number three of the group stages. Another match was against Al Merrikh of Sudan, who they beat 3-0.
They also took the quarter-final second leg against Petro de Luanda to FNB Stadium on 23 April but lost 3-2 on aggregate, with the Angolan side advancing to the semi-finals..
However, CAF have now approved Lucas Moripe Stadium and Loftus among 10 venues in South Africa. The others venues are Mbombela Stadium, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Free State Stadium, Royal Bafokeng Stadium, FNB Stadium, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Peter Mokaba Stadium, Orlando Stadium, Dobsonville Stadium and DHL Stadium.
However, Cape Town City, in the first preliminary round, did not use the DHL Stadium when they made their debut in CAF Champions League in the first leg against AS Otoho of Congo last month with the game being played at Athlone Stadium.
Royal AM, who just like City are making their debut but in the CAF Confederation Cup, used Moses Mabhida Stadium against Mbabane Highlanders after CAF did not approve Chatsworth Stadium.
Another side from Mzansi who will feature in the Confed Cup is Marumo Gallants, who will use New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
