Sundowns warned not to fear PSG after Champions League rout of Manchester City

Mamelodi Sundowns have been told they should not be intimidated by Paris Saint-Germain after the European champions dismantled Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League.

PSG scored three times before half-time at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, with Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha putting the visitors in control. Erling Haaland reduced the deficit eight minutes after the restart, but Maghnes Akliouche restored PSG’s three-goal advantage 10 minutes later. Haaland scored again, although Manchester City could not complete a comeback.

The result underlined the quality and ruthlessness of a PSG side increasingly regarded as the best team in the world.

The performance will have attracted attention in South Africa, where Sundowns could face PSG in December. Sundowns won the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup by beating Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli and will next play the winners of the Derby of the Americas in the Challenger Cup on November 28.

The winner of that match is due to meet PSG in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final, although the date for the fixture has not yet been confirmed.

Former Sundowns player Lovers Mohlala believes his old club can compete with the European champions, pointing to their previous displays against European opposition at the FIFA Club World Cup.

“Look, when Sundowns went to the Club World Cup, they proved that they could play. You see, South African players don’t have respect for the Europeans, that’s what I can tell you,” Mohlala told KickOff.

“I remember when Drogba said there is no talent in South Africa. But he must go look at the ratings and he will see that South Africa has been going up. The reason why I’m saying this is that when South African players go play against these European teams, it’s trials for them.

“As much as PSG is ruthless, if you look at how they play in France compared to the Champions League, it’s a totally different PSG. Now, the PSG that plays in France, they’re playing bad. I watched them playing 2-2 against Lille.

“But what I can tell you is that football is a game of mistakes. If football was not a game of mistakes, we would never enjoy football. It wouldn’t be the first time for Sundowns playing a European team, and I’m saying that on the day, any team that minimises its mistakes, that team will win the game.”

Mohlala urged Sundowns to focus on the next stage rather than anticipate a meeting with PSG.

“But let’s not count the eggs before they’re hatched. There’s still another level for Sundowns to go to first, and then after that we can speak about PSG,” he added.

“For now, Sundowns is doing well in Africa and in South Africa, so let’s wait and see. I mean, they beat Al Ahli from Saudi and now it’s for them to prove that they can go beyond that. Sundowns have achieved a lot and made history, and no other [local] team will be able to make that kind of history anytime soon.”