Overview
- Kaizer Chiefs lead Group D on 10 points and require at least a draw against Zamalek to advance, with outlets split on the venue listing between Ismailia’s Suez Canal Stadium and Cairo’s Al Salam Stadium.
- Chiefs named a 23-man travelling squad midweek without suspended defender Aden McCarthy, while Inácio Miguel and Luke Baartman were left out and Etiosa Ighodaro remains injured.
- Co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef warned of centre-back shortages, saying starting Given Msimango again is a risk, while Zitha Kwinika and Lebohang Maboe stressed readiness for the challenge.
- Mamelodi Sundowns must beat MC Alger at Loftus Versfeld to guarantee a CAF Champions League quarter-final spot, trailing leaders Al Hilal (8) and second-placed Alger (7) with six points.
- SABC reported analyst Mario Masha’s suspension over alleged leaks to MC Alger coach Rulani Mokwena, who on Friday publicly denied receiving Sundowns’ current tactical plans; Sundowns later confirmed their starting XI for the 15:00 kickoff.