Nuno Santos sets sights on every available trophy with Mamelodi Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Nuno Santos says the club are determined to compete for every trophy still available this season, despite their disappointing exit from the CAF Champions League.

Sundowns have already lifted the MTN8 and the African-Asian-Pacific Cup. They will next contest the CAF Super Cup, while the Carling Knockout Cup, FIFA Challenger Cup, Nedbank Cup and Betway Premiership are also among the competitions in their schedule.

There is also the possibility of a place in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, adding to what is already a demanding campaign for the South African club.

Speaking to the media before the CAF Super Cup match at the weekend, Santos said Sundowns’ approach would not change regardless of the competition.

“At Sundowns, we always play to win, so with every competition that we are in, we want to win it. Right now, we have won two and cannot win the Champions League, but we want the Super Cup, we want the league, we want the cups in South Africa, so we want all of them,” said Santos when asked about the number of trophies still available.

“We are always motivated no matter which competition we are in.

“This competition (CAF Super Cup) gives us one more trophy to add to the cabinet and a lot of prestige to the club, so we are going to be motivated.”

Santos determined to move on from Champions League exit

Santos acknowledged that Sundowns were unhappy with the manner of their CAF Champions League departure, but said the squad could not allow that result to affect its next challenge.

“We didn’t want it to happen, the way we went out of the Champions League, but at the same time we cannot let that affect us in the next competition that we have ahead,” he said.

“We cannot change what is in the past, but we can change what is coming. So, we are training every day to get better.”

The former Portugal youth international, who has a significant following in Portugal, added that Sundowns’ performances were already providing evidence of their progress.

“The results that we are having speak for themselves.

“I don’t need to tell the people [back home in Portugal] because they are looking at what is happening and are happy for me.

“I think as a player I can only be grateful and give my best to the club for the opportunity that they are giving me,” Santos said.