Sundowns begin African adventure
Mamelodi Sundowns packed their bags and headed to Rwanda immediately after collecting three points from AmaZulu in a 3-1 win at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday night.
The Brazilians returned to winning ways in the Absa Premiership after drawing two games in succession prior their win at Usuthu.
Pitso Mosimane’s side maintain a four-point lead over second-placed Orlando Pirates as the Buccaneers kept their title hopes alive by edging their arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs 3-1 in the Soweto derby.
In anticipation of what is expected to be a hectic schedule for Masandawana as they are about to begin their 2018 Caf Champions League campaign, while contesting in the Nedbank Cup and chasing a third title under Mosimane, the Brazilians coach feels a four-point gap is not enough for comfort.
“It is not enough, we lose one match and a lot can happen,” said Mosimane.
“But it is good to have that gap. It is a good way to leave and I like that we got three goals against AmaZulu,” he added.
Downs play Rwanda’s Rayon Sport on Wednesday in the first leg of their first-round qualifier as they seek to book their place in the group stages after getting a bye in the preliminary round.
Mosimane says although the Champions League is important, they will not give up the Nedbank Cup in favour of the continent’s top tournament.
“We are going for all of them,” Mosimane insisted.
“Maybe we are a little bit greedy because my vision is to always go with it and see how it goes. It is easy to say leave this Nedbank Cup because it will distract us and we’ll just go with the league, but no, it’s not like that,” said Mosimane.
“The Champions League is another cup for us, people want to watch it. People want to watch the Esperances, TP Mazembes, Al-Ahlys of this world coming to play here in the country and we should give that to the country, we are the soldiers and we need to carry that baton,” he added.
