Sundowns turn attention to Wydad for CAF Champions League showdown

Mamelodi Sundowns will continue their quest for continental glory when they host Wydad Casablanca in a tantalising second leg of their CAF Champions League tie on Saturday.

The tie is set at 0-0 following their goalless draw in Casablanca last weekend, so there must be a result when the teams meet on the highveld at Lotus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon.

With Masandawana having scored seven goals in their last five matches, goals are never far away, something Downs' coach Rulani Mokwena is all too aware of.

"Am I expecting us to score an early goal, probably because of how we have gone about playing the past few games," he told TimesLIVE.

"For sure we have a goal in us in the first ten minutes. Do I see a goal coming very early? I am not so sure, but the message I carry to the team is patience because we trust ourselves to unlock.

"We were able to score in Casablanca, but we were a bit unfortunate with the offside for Peter Shalulile's goal. There is the trust that the goal will come, but we will have to be patient and patience is not just for the team and the players on the pitch but it also has to be for the crowd and the supporters.

"They have to be patient and know this team has goals and has the right mental attitude to overcome any of the football challenges we might face on Saturday."

Also in Sundowns' favour is their superlative home record in the CAF Champions League, where they have only lost twice since 2017. Combine that with their recent PSL title domination - which officially concluded on Tuesday night - and the team is not short of confidence.

Nonetheless, Mokwena is under no illusions as to the challenge that awaits the Brazilians tomorrow.

"They are a team that has got good players, they are a team that has good identity and structure and they are a team that has the right type of profile," he continued.

"My perspective on this team cannot be influenced by what is written, but what I see and what I have seen of exactly what I have just given to you, and for sure, it is big respect and big appreciation for the type of team Wydad are."