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Mamelodi Sundowns’ credentials as Caf Champions League challengers will be put to a severe test when they face TP Mazembe in the second leg of their first round tie on Sunday afternoon in Lubumbashi.The first leg at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria saw Downs claim a narrow 1-0 win against a 10-man Mazembe, with Khama Billiat scoring in the 86th minute to hand the South African team a slim advantage.

The Brazilians will be looking to emulate Orlando Pirates, who in 2013 eliminated TP Mazembe in the qualifying rounds. The Bucs won the first leg at home and lost the second leg at the intimidating venue in the DRC, but advanced on aggregate thanks to a heroic goalkeeping performance from the late Senzo Meyiwa.

Coach Pitso Mosimane has revealed that he has sought advice from Roger De Sa — the man who oversaw Orlando Pirates’ Champions League run two years ago — and has planned accordingly for what is regarded as one of the toughest trips to make in African club competition.

Good news for Sundowns is that they have a full squad to choose from, with no injury or suspension worries for the squad they have registered with CAF. The Tshwane team will jet out of South Africa on Friday and have two days to prepare for the second leg encounter.

The referee for the match will be Bamlak Tessema Weyesa of Ethiopia, while the aggregate winners of the tie will advance into the second round to face either AS Mangasport of Gabon or Mali’s Stade Malien.

Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs will look to overturn a one-goal deficit when they face Raja Casablanca in the second leg of their first round CAF Champions League tie on Sunday night. Kick-off at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca.

The first leg in Durban last month saw the Moroccan side claim a 1-0 win, putting them in pole position to advance to the last 16. The result could have been a totally different one had the Amakhosi capitalised on the numerous chances they created.

Instead they head to Morocco knowing that they must score at least one away goal to remain in the tie and prevent a second successive early exit from Africa’s premier club competition, having been eliminated in the second round by AS Vita of DRC last year.

Striker Bernard Parker is convinced the Soweto side can turn the tables on their North African opponents, citing the experience that he and the likes of Itumeleng Khune, Tsepo Masilela and Reneilwe Letsholonyane have of playing in Morocco — they were part of a Bafana Bafana team that drew 1-1 with the hosts at Stade Agadir in October 2013. — Supersport