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Preview: Sundowns v KCCA

Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking to start their CAF Africa Champions League title defence in a positive manner when they face off against Ugandan Champions KCCA at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Friday.

With a place in the group stages of the continental showpiece up for grabs, Pitso Mosimane will not be prepared to field a weakened side against the Kasasiro Boys, in their first-round tie.

Mike Mutebi's team, meanwhile, come into the fixture in blistering form having beaten Onduparaka 7-0 and The Saints 1-0 in their last two league encounters, however, they fully understand that the African champions provide a different challenge.

"We are going to play our way. All we have to do is to respect them as the defending champions but not change our style of play," Mutebi told Ugandan publication NewVision.

"We shall try to be orderly not to concede lousy goals and create as many chances as we can and make sure we score because it is important."

Brazilians head coach Mosimane claims he's mulling at his current options, with the fixture overload this season finally creeping up at Chloorkop with Khama Billiat and Denis Onyango ruled out while Tiyani Mabunda and Bangaly Soumahoro are doubtful.

Influential defender Wayne Arendse may also miss out due to suspension, according to the former Bafana Bafana coach.

"Mabunda has a shoulder (injury) - I think you saw in Cape Town - so we kept him (out of the squad)," he told KickOff.

"'Keke' (Kekana) didn't play in Cape Town, I thought he could have a 45 minute run (against Mariveni) to just catch up, but I can't risk him because Mabunda's got a shoulder [injury], so I'm not sure.

"That why I didn't even (start) Lucky Mohomi because I don't want to overload him, he's not yet catching the rhythm properly at Sundowns. He's a good player in midfield but you know Mabunda and Kekana are going to fight the Ugandans (Kampala) here - easy, because they can fight the Congolese or anybody.

"Wayne is suspended in my opinion - we're still waiting for confirmation (from CAF) because remember Wayne collected a sixth yellow card when we played Zamalek here (at home last year)."

Kick off is at 19:00

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