PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns have been cautioned about the threat that their CAF Champions League quarterfinals opponents Petro de Luanda now pose following the changes that have happened this season.
Sundowns face the Angolan league leaders over two legs starting next week to determine which of the two teams proceeds to the semi-finals.
Petro have had it tough against South African opposition in this competition and just last season lost and then drew with Kaizer Chiefs in the same of events which happened the previous season against The Brazilians with a defeat and draw.
Back in the 2001 semi-finals, the Angolans lost 2-0 in Tshwane before levelling the tie with a similar win in Luanda but eventually lost on penalties.
"This is an improved Petro team from the one that played Chiefs last season so Sundowns must expect to have it really tough," says Almiro 'Miro' Lobo.
Lobo is a Mozambican who played in the PSL for Bidvest Wits and Platinum Stars but is now an assistant coach at Angolan club Bravos do Maquis who play in the same league at Petro.
"Petro has changed a lot this season and the results are there for all to see so it will be dangerous for anyone to think this will be easy for Sundowns.
"They have a new Portuguese coach (Alexandre Santos) who has replaced the one (Mateus Agostinho Bodunha) who was there before. The new coach has brought in Portuguese players while the influence of the Brazilian players is there for all to see now.
"This season they have brought in a lot of quality players and the coach has changed the mentality of the players," he says noting that he is wishing his former coach at Platinum Stars Steve Komphela well.
Komphela is now part of the Sundowns technical team.
"Coach Steve was with me at Platinum Stars, and I remain in contact with him every now and then so I wish him well because he is a good man. He has been influential in me becoming the coach that I am now.
"I can't predict who is going to win but I wish Steve all the best in this one. For me it will be interesting to watch this match because I usually watch Sundowns on DStv and have noticed they are playing with confidence and leading the league just like Petro here," says Miro.
Sundowns have a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal tie against Summerfield Dynamos and a league match away at Golden Arrows before they travel to Luanda.