Mamelodi Sundowns aim to respond against Marumo Gallants after Champions League exit

Mamelodi Sundowns will look to begin their recovery from a disappointing CAF Champions League exit when they face Marumo Gallants in the last 16 of the Carling Knockout at Loftus Versfeld Stadium today (7pm).

The Brazilians were denied a place in the Champions League group stage after being held to a 1-1 draw by Angola’s Wiliete SC on Friday. Sundowns went out on away goals, marking the first time in more than 11 years that they have failed to reach the competition’s group phase.

Midfielder Tashreeq Matthews said Sundowns must use their next match as an opportunity to return to winning form.

“That’s what we have to look forward to, I think the next one is a very important one. We’ve to overcome it and get back to winning ways and get over this feeling, win again and continue from there,” Matthews told the club media department.

“I think that will make things a bit better than what it is.”

Sundowns still have a number of trophies to pursue this season, with the Carling Knockout, Super Cup, Fifa Inter-continental Cup, Nedbank Cup and Betway Premiership all remaining on their schedule.

Matthews acknowledged the difficulty of moving on from the Champions League disappointment but said the squad remained focused on competing for further honours.

“I think after the game, we’ve to reflect but it is also important that we take the steps forward and continue. It is difficult to get over what happened, but at the end of the day, you have to take the step forward because you have to continue,” he said.

“There are more things that need to be won, yes, it is the biggest title in Africa to win but we still have a lot of trophies to look forward to and to win.”

Gallants coach Ronnie Kanalelo, however, insisted his side would not make life easy for the hosts.

He pointed to Gallants’ previous success against Sundowns in this competition, when they knocked them out at the same stage last season before reaching the final. They were beaten by Orlando Pirates in that decider.

“What we are saying is that Sundowns are beatable, and as long as they are beatable it has happened before in the past in this competition. That’s what we are looking at,” Kanalelo said.

“We are not going into this game handing it over on a silver platter, we are going to work for it, and they are also going to work for it. That’s the only thing I know.”