Can Chiefs emulate Sundowns? Molefi Ntseki weighs in

In their latest encounter at the weekend, the Brazilians beat Amakhosi 2-1 to eliminate them from the MTN8 with a 3-2 aggregate win over two legs. Ntseki argues Downs, who also got one over them in the DStv Premiership early last month, have had enough time together as a group.

"I think the most important thing is as a team you need to balance performance with results. And I think Sundowns, over time, we are not talking about this season, we are talking about so many seasons ago, have perfected to balance performance with results," Ntseki said.   

The Chiefs mentor adds Sundowns' experience of playing CAF Champions League football has further refined their game model. 

"We are talking of a team that has played in Africa for many years. They have played against Morrocan teams and Egyptian teams. So when you play in Africa you get that experience, you get matured because it's more of a physical game, it's more of a tactical game.

"And in other countries, technically you have seen the Moroccans very good on the ball." 

However, Ntseki insists Chiefs are not far off. 

"It's not like we are defending ourselves, but I think we played against a very good team, and we had to give our 'A' game. When it comes to maturity, it comes with tactical understanding and tactical understanding is a process. 

“This process, I think we are getting it right in terms of players understanding their roles in possession and out of possession, playing our of pressure zones, how do you address the set-plays? I think we are building a team that will also be talking about high level of maturity."