Mamelodi Sundowns geared up for tense CAF Champions League group stage finish

The Brazilians have at least got themselves some cushion following their 1-0 win over Pyramids in Egypt on Tuesday, but coach Rulani Mokwena says the victory is far from deciding the outcome of Group A.

Sundowns still have to travel to FC Nouadhibou and then joint log leaders TP Mazembe after the AFCON break next year.

"No, the victory is not enough. There's only three that separate number one and number four and there's two games to go. So, it's very difficult still. Everybody is still in it, we have a very difficult trip when we return in the new year to Mauritania and then of course we finish off in March around the 1st or the 2nd with TP Mazembe at home and hopefully by then we know mathematically what needs to be done to finish as group winners," Mokwena said.

Downs remain one of the favourites in the Champions League and Mokwena wants the same momentum to carry over into the last hurdle of their journey to try replicate their 2016 triumph.

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"We go game by game and fortunately now we can put a pause to the Champions League campaign and as we pause, we pause as number one in the group. Even though there's two games to go and fortunately we will finish also the league this year, first half of the season, number one. So, being number one and winning the AFL," Mokwena added.

The coach concluded by applauding their Egyptian counterparts for being a worthy opponent over the two group stage matches – making Mokwena even more proud that Sundowns got the three points away.

"It's a very, very good team that's done a lot of heavy investments into their squad and we beat a good team and that's what makes me very, very happy of the players and the effort and the commitment. The first half we played very, very well. We dominated possession with about 67% and of course, you go into halftime away from home, on the continent, the opponent is gonna react and emotionally especially because they also know that they need the result at home."