The new campaign will officially get underway next weekend with the MTN8 being contested between the top eight teams from the previous season.

Celtic has been drawn to play against Mamelodi Sundowns for a second year running in the MTN8 quarter-finals.

Just last month, these two teams contested the Nedbank Cup final, where the Brazilians won 1-0 to claim the treble.

The legendary former Celtic captain, Maduka, told OFM Sport that Downs will be not be weakened by the departure of Pitso Mosimane to Al Ahly.

“We will be going into this game as the underdogs because everyone expects Sundowns to win.

“We will see on the day. It’s a different ball game to the one which we played against them a few weeks ago.

“Although Pitso left, under coach Manqoba (Mngqithi) and coach Rhulani (Mokwena) they won’t be any different. “They have been a part of the success than Sundowns has managed to achieve over so many years.

“We believe that the will continue with the great job they been doing.

“There won’t be much change in terms of the team playing because they are coaches that also love playing good football.”

“It will be very interesting, but, we are looking forward to the game and we must just make sure that we give our best.”

Downs will host Phunya Sele Sele next week Sunday at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport