Morena backs Mamelodi Sundowns to reach Champions League group stage

Mamelodi Sundowns must beat Wiliete SC at Loftus on Friday to maintain their record of reaching the CAF Champions League group stages since 2016.

The second-leg qualifier is scheduled for 8pm, with the tie finely balanced after a goalless draw in Angola last weekend.

A 0-0 draw in Pretoria would send the contest to a penalty shootout, while any draw featuring goals would see Sundowns eliminated. The South African side therefore need a victory in front of their home supporters to progress.

Thapelo Morena, the experienced Bafana Bafana utility player, said Sundowns were fully aware of what was required in the decisive match.

“We have passed the stage where we speak about knowing how to deal with the moments. Now we are giving everything to the team; the point we got in Angola is important,” Morena said.

He acknowledged that Sundowns had expected more from the opening half of the first leg, despite securing a draw.

“We know what we need to do here at home; that is clear. We are going to give our best on Friday and try to get to the group stages of the Champions League again,” he added.

“This is the most important game for the team because we have been in the group stages for the past 10 years. We could have done better in the first leg in Angola, but things didn’t go well.

“The most important thing is the game that we are playing on Friday.”

Sundowns have reached the Champions League group stages in every season since 2016, when they went on to win the competition.

Their most recent failure to qualify came in 2015, when they were beaten by TP Mazembe of the DRC.

Coach Miguel Cardoso said his team would need to produce a stronger performance than in the first meeting if they were to continue their campaign.

“Our story is of a team that wants to win everything. This will be a match between two teams that want to progress to the group stages of the Champions League,” Cardoso said.

The coach also set out the possible outcomes facing Sundowns in the second leg.

“We know if we win we go through; if we draw 0-0 we go to penalties, and if we draw with goals we are out. We need to play to our best level and go to the next stage of the competition.”