Agnes Nkosi remains the assistant coach while Mamelodi Sundown’s youth coach Godfrey Sapula has been brought in as reinforcement.

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The Brazilians begin the defence of their title this afternoon (Sunday, 10 November) with a clash against newcomers, FC Masar of Egypt.

Kickoff is at 4pm South African time.

Sundowns are the defending champions and will be looking forward to returning with the trophy.

Here is Tshabalala…

''This time around we are going there as defending champions. We know it is going to be difficult - you know when you're a defending champion, everyone wants to beat you, so it is going to be a huge challenge. I think the lesson from the previous one will come in handy in this one. It is going to be demanding from the players to the technical team, and that is why we had to reinforce the technical team, so that we don't go there and be in short of anything,'' said Tshabalala.

Tshabalala says it is important that they get off to a good start in the first two matches to secure a semi-final spot.

They are facing three debutants in Group B – FC Masar, CBE FC and Edo Queens.

''Sometimes it may work in our favour, sometimes it may not work in our favour but the good thing is that we have studied both teams - FC Masar and CBE. The first two games are very important for us, if we win the first two games - we are through to the semis. So we have done our homework in terms of getting to know them and getting to know their weaknesses, and I believe they did the same with us. But the good thing about us is when we play teams that we don't know, we try to lift up the intensity,'' added Tshabalala.

The Sundowns mentor says now is the time for the lessons from their USA trip a few months ago to come in handy.

''The trip for us to the USA has opened our eyes, in terms of the tactics that need to be applied, in terms of the intensity of the game. Hopefully the lessons that we have learned in the USA will also be applied in the CAF Champions League,'' he expressed.

With the 2024 Hollywoodbets Super League title safely secured, Tshabalala says they now have peace of mind.

In the absence of regular captain Zanele Madonsela, who was left out of the team, defender Bambanani Mbane is expected to wear the captain’s armband.

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