Mamelodi Sundowns will be dealing with the curse of being winless in previous CAF Champions League campaigns in Nigeria.
Against this historical background, captain Ronwen Williams and his teammates will try to rewrite the narrative on Sunday, writes iol.co.za.
The challenging statistic has cast a shadow over the club: they have yet to claim a win on Nigerian soil.
Sundowns will face Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) champions Remo Stars in a second-round preliminary, first-leg clash on Sunday at the 10,000-seater MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. The hosts have announced free entry for the game, ensuring a packed crowd will greet the South Africans.
In their previous outings, Sundowns have faced Nigerian opposition three times in the CAF Champions League, each time returning home without a win. The road to success in Nigeria is notoriously difficult — few South African clubs that have ventured into this footballing stronghold have escaped without facing fierce resistance and passionate home support.
Since the return of South African teams to continental competition in 1993, history has largely favoured the home sides when South African and Nigerian clubs have met. A telling statistic shows that out of eight such ties, South African teams have managed just one away victory. That rare triumph was back in 1996 when Orlando Pirates, then the reigning African champions, edged Shooting Stars 1-0 in Ibadan.
However, that brief moment of glory was soon forgotten when Pirates suffered a shock exit against the same team, losing 4-3 on penalties after another narrow defeat in the return leg.
These historical precedents set a challenging backdrop for Ronwen Williams and his teammates as they aim to rewrite the narrative this season. The obstacles facing South African teams in Nigeria are well-documented: intense local support, difficult playing conditions, and, at times, questionable officiating can conspire against visiting sides.
The odds may seem stacked against Sundowns, but their squad boasts an impressive array of talent, commitment, and tactical versatility — qualities that could yet defy history on the right day.
Sundowns find themselves in a demanding situation, as a significant number of their players will have had little respite following the international break. With 11 players called up to represent their national teams and several others returning from the U-20 FIFA World Cup, the coming weeks promise to test the team’s depth and endurance.
Despite the challenges, Coach Miguel Cardoso remains calm and composed. He has expressed pride in having so many of his players selected for national duty, seeing it as both an honour and a reflection of the squad’s quality.
“You come back to the job as head of a big team. It happens to me, it happens to many coaches all over the world,” Cardoso said. “The call-up to the national team just came out; we know we are back with numbers in the national team, which makes us proud. We also have five players in the U-20 national team.”
The timing of this international duty coincides with crucial matches in the Champions League qualifying rounds, further intensifying the pressure. The trip to Nigeria adds logistical complications, with Cardoso noting that two days of travel will be required to reach their destination — affecting both preparation and recovery.
“We have two Champions League qualifying round matches, and we are playing in Nigeria, which makes it even more difficult because we have to travel there, and the trip is obviously not easy,” Cardoso added. “I don’t relate to problems. We will see who is in the best condition to find a first eleven to start that match.”
With the coach focused on solutions rather than setbacks, there is a palpable sense of determination within the Sundowns camp. Though their preparation time may be limited compared to their opponents, Cardoso remains steadfast in his approach.
“We are here to deal with solutions, not problems. We must do the best possible,” he said.
