Morena rejects claims of fading Sundowns hunger after Super Cup defeat

Mamelodi Sundowns utility player Thapelo Morena says the club’s desire for success remains undiminished despite their recent disappointments in continental football.

The Brazilians were beaten 3-1 by USM Alger in Sunday’s CAF Super Cup, a result that followed their failure to retain the CAF Champions League title.

Those setbacks have led to questions over Sundowns’ motivation, but Morena insists the players are still determined to succeed.

“There is no lack of desire because if today was our day we would’ve secured the result in the first half. We will regroup and go again for ourselves and for everybody behind Sundowns,” he said.

Morena admitted the way the South African side lost to their Algerian opponents was particularly difficult to understand.

“It’s difficult to accept. The biggest thing we failed to do was convert the chances we created and it became even more difficult when we conceded a set-piece,” he added.

Sundowns had viewed the CAF Super Cup as an opportunity to respond after their unexpected Champions League setback. However, their preparations were disrupted before and during the match.

Attacker Nuno Santos suffered an injury before kick-off, while striker Brayan Leon was forced to leave the field in the opening minutes.

Despite those problems, Morena did not want to use the injuries as an explanation for Sundowns’ defeat.