Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi says they will change their venue when they host Al Ahly this month and provided a positive update on Erwin Saavedra.
Sundowns played their first CAF Champions League Group A game against Al Hilal at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in which there were notable issues with the surface coming apart in the 1-0 win.
Unable to play their usual fluent football, they’re likely to move stadia again after initially moving the clash due to the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium not meeting international standards according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
“We’re looking to try other stadiums for the Ahly game based on the conditions that Royal Bafokeng was the last time around but at this stage, nothing is confirmed.
“We’re hoping to play that game somewhere else and not Royal Bafokeng and it’s just a matter of time when CAF responds to our wish and we’ll take it from there.”
Saavedra notably suffered a nasty blow in their second game against Al-Merrikh which was played out in Cairo and there were concerns about when their marquee mid-season signing would return.
However,Mngqithi has confirmed it’s just a matter of time before he resumes full training and he should be fully fit to face the Red Devils.
“Saavedra, we’re confident, come the Ahly game that he might be strong again to come and assist the team because it was a grade one strain,” he confirmed on the 38-time capped Bolivia midfielder.
“We believe within the next two to three weeks, he’ll be back based on what the doctors are telling us – we’re confident.”
Sundowns will host their former coach Pitso Mosimane and his Al Ahly squad on Saturday, 11 March.
