OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Friday 7.30pm.
A SERIES of blows have left Sundowns with little chance of surviving an African Champions League clash against Saint-Louisienne in Reunion on Saturday.
The first was the late return of goalkeeper John Tlale, defenders Michael Manzini and Themba Mnguni, midfielder Joel Masilela and striker Daniel Mudau from national duty in the Caribbean. This prevented the expensively-assembled Pretoria club from flying to the French-governed Indian Ocean island on Tuesday and their Thursday flight via Madagascar was cancelled due to a damaged aircraft engine.
Late arrival and limited acclimatisation time will be compounded by the absence of Nigerian star striker Rapahel Chukwu, out with a groin injury.
The South Africans were eliminated in the second round of three continental adventures and history seems likely to repeat itself as Saint-Louisienne will be at full strength after missing five regulars in the drawn first leg.
Raja Casablanca of Morocco, winners of the leading Pan-African club event twice, are also uncomfortably placed after winning only 2-1 at home against regular campaigners Djoliba of Mali.
Shooting Stars of Nigeria face the toughest task among the big-name clubs following a 3-0 away loss to Kaloum of Guinea in a delayed first-round match dominated by Momo Soumah. The international striker scored twice in the second half to leave Stars with a mammoth task if they are to qualify for a second-round clash with Daring Club Motema Pembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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