Downs players are anxious ... ‘They are human beings after all’

PRETORIA: It’s not just Kampala Capital City Authority’s (KCCA) jersey, with a touch of purple, that should remind Mamelodi Sundowns of their trip to Medeama in their Caf Champions League title defence.

The scenario is also somewhat similar. Sundowns left for Uganda yesterday with an away goal conceded in their 2-1 win at home in the first leg that may come to haunt them. The last time the Brazilians travelled for the second leg after conceding an away goal was to take on Medeama in Ghana in last year’s Caf Confederation Cup playoffs.

Sundowns had a two-goal cushion after a late surge saw them score three goals in the last 10 minutes to win 3-1 in Pretoria. They sat back against Medeama in Tarkwa, allowing the Ghanaians to attack and win the tie after a 2-0 win on the day.

That match shaped Sundowns to be African champions after they were reinstated in the continent’s premier club competition. They learned not only to sit back on the road, but also hold their composure in difficult situations.

Sundowns have to summon all of that on Saturday in their clash with KCCA at Phillip Omondi Stadium (3pm kickoff). The fact that the Braziliand are in a tricky position should see them come out strongly.

“There is anxiety. They are human beings after all. They are expected to win every game they’re involved in as the African and South African champions. That gets to the players. You need cold nerves to overcome that,” Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane said.

Percy Tau has lacked cold nerves in the Brazilians’ last two games. He missed several chances in the goalless draw with Polokwane City on Tuesday and could have given Sundowns a two-goal cushion against KCCA from the glorious chances he had. Tau’s struggles have coincided with his first Bafana Bafana call-up.

“He is trying to impress a little bit more,” Mosimane said. “But this is when leadership should come in and make him aware that he must calm down. He isn’t expected to carry the team. At this point we expect Leo (Leonardo Castro), Anthony (Laffor) and Khama (Billiat) to carry the team. Percy is young. This is his first full year playing at this level. Khama was missing like that and then suddenly he was putting them in.”

Billiat, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Denis Onyango will miss the trip to Uganda through injuries.

But Billiat will be back for the match against Kaizer Chiefs on 1 April. Mosimane has resigned himself to the fact that the club will lose one of the three competitions they’re competing in – the PSL, Champions League and Nedbank Cup.

His primary objectives are the league and reaching the group stage of the Champions League.

“The truth is that you have to give one away,” Mosimane said. “That’s the reality. Ask me, I know. Last year we gave away the Nedbank Cup.”