Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac says his outfit must be fully prepared for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup clash against Mamelodi Sundowns.
The South African giants will take on the eight-time Bundesliga champions in the second Group F encounter at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati on Saturday.
Sundowns goes into the match on the back of a narrow win over South Korean side Ulsan HD last Wednesday, while Borussia Dortmund will try to put their best foot forward after a goalless draw with Brazilian side Fluminense.
Ahead of the match, Niko Kovac has acknowledged the challenge posed by Mamelodi Sundowns, insisting his side must be at their best to overcome the South African champions.
“We know Sundowns reached the CAF Champions League final recently, which speaks volumes about their strength,” he said. “African teams are physically powerful and tactically disciplined, so we must be fully prepared.”
The Brazilians will need to regroup quickly, with Kovac stressing the importance of mental freshness ahead of the fixture.
“The next matches are critical, and we can’t afford any lapses,” he added.
A victory for Sundowns would boost their chances of advancing to the tournament’s knockout stages—a historic achievement for the Pretoria-based side.
