Mamelodi Sundowns target more silverware after MTN8 success

Mamelodi Sundowns are aiming to build on their second trophy of the season after beating Orlando Pirates 2-0 to win the MTN8 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners scored for Sundowns, who have now added the MTN8 to the Fifa African-Asian-Pacific Cup they won earlier in the campaign.

Coach Miguel Cardoso has warned his players not to lose focus as they pursue further success domestically and in Africa.

“It’s not that you collected two medals in October that you should be happy,” Cardoso told the media after the match. “Well, we should be happy, of course, but we have to be humble enough to know that we have a match to respect in two days and the qualifying round of the CAF Champions League to be played next weekend.

“[The] Carling Knockout is starting soon, and there are a lot of things ahead. The players need to keep the focus and trust each other and the values we have developed.

“That’s because it puts us closer to winning more and more. That’s how you can continue to assert yourself … where there is difficult competition at a high level.”

Cardoso said Sundowns’ experience in the CAF Champions League had helped them deal with Orlando Pirates.

The champions return to Betway Premiership action against Richards Bay at Princess Magogo Stadium on Tuesday, with the result important to their bid to maintain their league lead.

They will then travel to Angola to face Wiliete in the second round of the CAF Champions League on Sunday.

“The players were committed to keeping the organisation, and that was absolutely fantastic to see in the boys. But we need to keep our stability and our minds on the road and look ahead,” Cardoso added.

“It’s good to arrive in October and collect two trophies, but there are so many things to play for … and now we need to prepare for the next match [against Richards Bay] on Tuesday.”

League fixtures

All midweek fixtures start at 7.30pm.

Tuesday: Durban v AmaZulu, Chatsworth; Chiefs v Stellenbosch, FNB; Bay v Sundowns, Princess Magogo; Pirates v Galaxy, Orlando.

Saturday: Chippa v Kruger, Buffalo City (3.30pm); Arrows v Milford, King Zwelithini (3.30pm); Sekhukhune v Gallants, Peter Mokaba (6pm).

Sunday: Siwelele v Polokwane, Free State (3.30pm).

CAF Champions League second preliminary round

Saturday: African Stars v Pirates, Botswana National Stadium (3pm).

Sunday: Wiliete v Sundowns, Estadio Nacional da Tundavala, Angola (5pm).

CAF Confederation Cup

Saturday: Red Arrows v Chiefs, Levy Mwanawasa (3pm).

Sunday: Durban v ASPL, Moses Mabhida (3pm).