Morena: Sundowns ready for Champions League title defence test

Mamelodi Sundowns winger Thapelo Morena says the club are prepared to handle the pressure of defending their CAF Champions League title as they target successive victories in the competition.

The Tshwane side host Angolan club Wiliete SC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday in the second leg of their second preliminary round tie, with the contest finely balanced after a goalless first leg on Sunday.

Sundowns must win to progress to the group stage. Wiliete, meanwhile, will qualify with either a victory or a scoring draw, leaving the reigning champions with little room for error on home soil.

The Angolan team are coached by Beto Bianchi and know that eliminating Sundowns would be a significant result given the South African club’s status as holders of the continent’s leading club competition.

Morena acknowledged that the expectation surrounding Sundowns has increased since their triumph, but said the squad were embracing the responsibility of being the side other teams want to defeat.

Speaking at the club’s headquarters in Chloorkop this week, the former Bloemfontein Celtic player pointed to Sundowns’ success in the PSL as evidence that they understand how to cope with the demands of defending a title.

“As a team, it is something we take the responsibility (for). We can and we’re willing to do it because we’ve done it at home in the PSL and now we have the experience of after winning it, what’s happening. We know that teams will now come all out against us, never mind who is there.

“But to be honest, when we come here at home in our soil, we know the difference (it makes). We’re going to give everything, that’s the most important thing,” the former Bloemfontein Celtic man added.

The 0-0 draw in the first meeting means Sundowns will need to break down a Wiliete defence that remains capable of taking advantage of any uncertainty from the hosts.

Morena said the team were conscious of the threat posed by opponents who are determined to derail the champions’ campaign, but insisted that playing at home would provide an important advantage.

A place in the group stage is at stake when the teams meet in Tshwane, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00.