MC Alger Victory Piles CAF Champions League Pressure on Mamelodi Sundowns
MC Alger kept their CAF Champions League quarter-final hopes alive with a 2-0 home victory over DR Congo side Saint-Eloi Lupopo on Sunday in Algiers. Goals from Marwane Khelif and Zakaria gave Rhulani Mokwena’s team their first win of the group stage. The triumph allowed MC Alger to climb off the bottom of Group C and close the gap on Mamelodi Sundowns, who dropped points in recent matches. This result has intensified the race for the last two quarter-final spots, with Sundowns, MC Alger, and Lupopo now in a tight battle. The Algerian champions showed resilience and tactical discipline to reverse a 2-0 defeat to Lupopo from the earlier encounter, keeping their continental ambitions alive.
MC Alger began the group stage with a 1-0 loss to Lupopo, following a defeat to Al Hilal and a draw against Sundowns. Their win on matchday four marked a turning point, demonstrating their capacity to recover from a poor start. Mokwena praised the squad for their commitment and ability to seize the three points at home. The Algerian side now has four points, equal to Lupopo, but with a superior goal difference placing them third in the standings. The group remains open with two matchdays remaining, making every point critical.
Mamelodi Sundowns face mounting pressure after dropping points against Al Hilal. The South African giants currently sit second in Group C with five points from a win, two draws, and a loss. Sundowns were held to a 2-2 draw at home before suffering a 2-1 defeat in Kigali, leaving them vulnerable to challenges from both MC Alger and Lupopo. Coach Miguel Cardoso has acknowledged fatigue as a significant factor affecting his squad’s performances. With key fixtures ahead, including an away match at TP Mazembe against Lupopo and a home clash with MC Alger, Sundowns must deliver results to secure progression.
Cardoso highlighted the physical toll of a congested schedule on his players, noting that squad rotation has not fully mitigated fatigue. Despite these challenges, he remains focused on navigating the remaining fixtures successfully. The former Esperance coach drew parallels to last season’s mid-group struggles and believes careful planning and tactical adjustments can keep Sundowns in contention. With rumors surrounding Pitso Mosimane’s potential return lingering, pressure is mounting on Cardoso to steer the team through a critical phase.
The final two games in Group C promise high stakes. MC Alger’s resurgence and Sundowns’ inconsistent form have turned the group into a tightly contested battle for quarter-final qualification. Lupopo remain in contention, making the remaining fixtures decisive. Sundowns must overcome both physical and mental challenges to advance, while MC Alger aim to build on their momentum. The race for the knockout stages is now wide open, with every match likely to shape the fate of the teams involved.
