Saint Eloi Lupopo host Mamelodi Sundowns at the Stade de la Victoire on Sunday, 08 February 2026 at 15:00 in what promises to be a crucial TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Regular season - 5 encounter. The South African giants travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo seeking to consolidate their position in the continental competition, while the hosts desperately need points to keep their qualification hopes alive. With revenge on their minds following a 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture last November, Saint Eloi Lupopo will be determined to produce an upset on home soil in this high-stakes continental clash.
Team Form and Head-to-Head
Mamelodi Sundowns arrive in impressive form, having demonstrated their quality across multiple competitions. The PSL powerhouse recorded emphatic victories over Remo Stars (5-1 away and 2-0 at home) in their recent Champions League fixtures, showcasing their attacking prowess. Their domestic form has been equally solid, with a 4-0 thrashing of Richards Bay, though they were held to consecutive 1-1 draws by Orlando Pirates. The Brazilians' consistency makes them formidable opponents for any team on the continent.
Saint Eloi Lupopo have experienced a mixed run of results in recent months. The Congolese side showed resilience with a 1-0 victory over Al Merreikh followed by a goalless draw, and they impressed with a 3-0 home win against Orlando Pirates. However, they suffered a heavy 0-3 defeat in the away leg against Pirates before falling 1-3 to Mamelodi Sundowns in November. Their head-to-head record against the South African champions stands at one meeting, with Sundowns claiming a comfortable 3-1 victory at home, establishing psychological advantage ahead of this reverse fixture.
What's at Stake
This Regular season - 5 match carries significant implications for both teams' progression hopes in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. For Mamelodi Sundowns, three points would strengthen their position at the top of their group and move them closer to the knockout stages. Saint Eloi Lupopo face a must-win scenario at the Stade de la Victoire, knowing that defeat could severely damage their qualification prospects. With both teams having challenging fixtures ahead—Lupopo traveling to Al Hilal Omdurman and Sundowns hosting MC Alger—maximum points here could prove decisive in the final group standings.
Match Prediction
The betting odds reflect Mamelodi Sundowns' superiority, with the visitors sharing 45% win probability alongside a 45% chance of a draw, while Saint Eloi Lupopo are given just 10% chance of victory. Expert advice suggests backing a double chance on draw or Mamelodi Sundowns, acknowledging the South African side's quality while respecting the home advantage factor. The predicted scoreline favors the visitors, though as a cup match, this TotalEnergies CAF Champions League fixture could extend to extra time and penalties if level after 90 minutes. Expect Mamelodi Sundowns to control possession and create numerous chances, though Saint Eloi Lupopo will look to exploit set-pieces and counter-attacking opportunities at the Stade de la Victoire in this intriguing Saint Eloi Lupopo vs Mamelodi Sundowns preview for the 2025/2026 season.
Saint Eloi Lupopo 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns: Congolese Side Hold South African Giants in CAF Champions League Thriller
Saint Eloi Lupopo secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in a pulsating TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Regular season - 5 encounter at Stade de la Victoire on Sunday, 08 February 2026. H. Molia gave the home side a first-half lead before J. Adams rescued a crucial point for the visitors in the second period. Match official P. Waweru presided over a competitive fixture that saw both teams receive two yellow cards each in this important continental clash.
Match Summary
The match started with early intensity as Nuno Santos received a yellow card in the 10th minute, followed immediately by H. Molia being booked in the 11th minute. Saint Eloi Lupopo took the lead in the 19th minute when H. Molia redeemed himself by converting a chance created by J. B. Tukumbane, sending the home crowd into raptures. The Congolese side held their advantage until half-time despite J. B. Tukumbane picking up a yellow card on the stroke of the break.
Mamelodi Sundowns emerged with renewed purpose after the interval, introducing P. Shalulile for B. Leon in the 50th minute to add attacking impetus. The substitution paid dividends as J. Adams leveled the scores in the 55th minute, finishing clinically from an A. Modiba assist to make it 1-1. Arthur Sales was cautioned in the 58th minute as the South African giants pushed for a winner. Both managers made multiple changes in the closing stages, with Saint Eloi Lupopo introducing M. Kimputu, Djo Issama Mpeko, J. Mavungu, Miché Mika, and A. Goumey, while Sundowns brought on T. Matthews, M. Allende, and I. Rayners in search of three points that ultimately eluded them.
Stats and Player Ratings
Mamelodi Sundowns dominated possession with 62% compared to Saint Eloi Lupopo's 38%, and registered 14 shots to the hosts' 5. The South African side also enjoyed superiority in corner kicks (9-2) and total passes (381-230), with superior pass accuracy of 78% versus 68%. The expected goals metric favored Sundowns at 2.14 compared to 1.21 for Lupopo. J. Adams was the standout performer with a match-high rating of 8.5/10, scoring one goal and registering one shot on target. A. Modiba impressed with a 7.7/10 rating thanks to his assist, while Esdras Kabamba led Saint Eloi Lupopo's defensive efforts with a 7.5/10 rating. T. Mokoena and K. Ndamase also performed admirably for Sundowns with ratings of 7.3/10 and 7.2/10 respectively.
What This Means
This 1-1 result in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Regular season - 5 represents a valuable point for Saint Eloi Lupopo against one of Africa's strongest sides, building on their recent victory over Al Merreikh. For Mamelodi Sundowns, dropping two points away from home may prove costly in the group standings despite their dominant statistics. Saint Eloi Lupopo face a challenging trip to Al Hilal Omdurman on 14 February, while Mamelodi Sundowns return home to host MC Alger on the same date before resuming domestic duties against Orlando Pirates on 18 February and Amazulu on 24 February.
Live Match Discussion
See what fans are saying about this match
Join the conversation on X (Twitter)
View Discussion on XSearch: "Saint Eloi Lupopo vs Mamelodi Sundowns"