Thapelo Morena has revealed how Mamelodi Sundowns plan to approach their CAF Champions League match against CR Belouizdad.
Sundowns face the North African side in the first leg of their quarter-final encounter at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Saturday.
The Tshwane giants head into the tough clash desperate to put one foot in the semi-finals of the premier club continental competition.
In recent years, Sundowns have struggled to make it past the quarter-final stages of the competition. They have been dumped out at this stage in the last two campaigns.
SUNDOWNS’ RECENT CHAMPIONS LEAGUE STRUGGLES
The Tshwane giants were eliminated at the quarterfinal stages in 2017, failed to get out of their group in 2018, and crashed out in the semifinals in 2019.
Another quarterfinal exit followed in 2020 and again last year when they were stunned by Angola’s Petro de Luanda.
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This season, they must overcome the Algerian Ligue 1 champions Belouizdad, who also pose a huge threat to Rulani Mokwena’s side in their bid to clinch a second star.
Morena, who was part of the Sundowns team that won the competition in 2016 under Pitso ‘Jingles’ Mosimane, is expecting a tough encounter against the North Africans.
The speedster, however, believes they have enough quality and experience to deal with such an opponent, even away from home in a potentially hostile environment.
HOW SUNDOWNS WILL APPROACH BELOUIZDAD
“The most important thing for us is that we know it will not be an easy game,” said Morena in a press conference.
“Coming to Algeria to play against Belouizdad will not be easy; it will be a very tough encounter.
“We also know that with the supporters, it will be a tough match for us to play our normal football, but I trust and believe in my teammates. We will lift our hands and deliver for our team.
“For us, the most important thing is to play the match. It doesn’t matter where we play, but the results are the most important thing after the game.”
Mamelodi Sundowns have only reached the semi-final stage once [2019] since winning their maiden title in 2016, and they will hope to make a return this season.