A fresh and energised Mamelodi Sundowns returns to action on Tuesday with the aim of putting themselves in a better position in their group in the Caf Champions League.
Like they have done since 2016, Sundowns are once again the first South African team to return to competitive football after a short break as they were the last to go into recess. The Brazilians will fly the country’s flag in Lome on Tuesday against AS Togo-Port in the Champions League. Hlompho Kekana and his charges leave for Togo on Thursday night in search of their first win having drawn their first two matches against Wydad Casablanca and Horoya.
“We had a break. It was good for us to be away from football a little bit. We are back now,” Kekana said. “It’s back to business. We want try and start with a good run by winning the match in Togo so that we are in a good space in the group. A win will give us five points and we will be second in the group.”
The Brazilians are in the group stage of the Champions League for a third time in a row. They are the first South African club to achieve that feat. But since they conquered the continent in 2016, reaching the group stage is no longer an achievement with the club driven by the desire to win the Champions League again to add a second star on top of their badge.
“We are aware of the standards that we have set for ourselves,” Kekana said. “Doing well in the Champions League is non-negotiable. We know that we are carrying a lot of responsibility as players to try and do well and put the club where it needs to be. We have shown in the past that we are capable of winning trophies. We have to maintain that and make sure that we continue doing well for the club.”
