It’s important that Sundowns don’t concede – Kekana

HLOMPHO KEKANA shed a tear just before he lifted the Caf Champions League trophy in Alexandria last year, overwhelmed with joy at finally being an African champion as he and his Mamelodi Sundowns’ teammates did it the hard way.

They overcame five-time African champions Zamalek in the final after topping a group that had teams that had won the biggest club prize on the continent a combined nine times, while they were still searching for their maiden title. That run showed the resilient side of Sundowns, the one that does well under pressure.

But behind that is a side that struggles in easy situations, taking for granted that they’ll just cruise to victory. The Brazilians’ captain, Kekana, argues it’s not as simple as them taking things for granted.

“It’s the nature of the game,” Kekana said. “Look at Barcelona. They won a difficult game (against PSG) that no-one thought they would win. But they went to Deportivo (La Coruna) where everyone expected them to win and they lost.

“It’s the nature of a big team. You have this fear of losing in games that everyone expects you to win. The anxiety takes over you. You are suddenly overcome by the fear of losing and failing to score.

“Those are elements that play in our heads because as the reigning champions we don’t want to lose. But when you are playing a difficult game, it becomes easier because that’s second nature for you in a big team. We are more relaxed when we play the big games, which is why we do well in them.”

Sundowns relaxed after taking a 2-0 lead over Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) seven minutes into their game at Lucas Moripe Stadium in the first leg of their Champions League first round clash. KCCA made them pay for taking their foot off the pedal, stealing a crucial away goal in the 2-1 loss.

The good thing for the Brazilians is that that goal has made the second leg a tricky encounter which should bring the best out of them tomorrow in Kampala.

“I have a strong belief in my teammates that we will advance to the group stage,” Kekana said. “It’s important that we don’t concede. But more than that we should play our normal game because if we do that we can score, which would put us in a comfortable position. We are not used to sitting back, so we shouldn’t even try to do that.

“We are looking forward to the group stage because we will enjoy it more this year than we did last year, because it was our first time. We were learning with each game. Now we know what’s happening and what it takes to do well.”

Kekana, pictured, and company arrived in Kampala on Wednesday without the injured Khama Billiat, Denis Onyango and Sibusiso Vilakazi. But they still have enough firepower and experience to overcome the plucky Ugandans.

“It’s a good feeling to go into this competition as the reigning champions,” Kekana said. “We are at a stage where we now believe in ourselves that we can do better in our games. We believe that we can hold our own against the best on the continent. It’s nice to play in the Champions League space. We are enjoying ourselves.”