Downs seek ‘all-africa’ form

THE CROWN Mamelodi Sundowns wore in 2016 as kings of Africa weighs heavily on the Brazilians, who have struggled to keep up with the big boys now that they’re viewed as a major player on the continent.

The Tshwane giants played with a lot of freedom in 2016 with the mandate of “having fun” after they were eliminated by AS Vita in the second of the CAF Champions League, only to be reinstated because the Democratic Republic of Congo side fielded a defaulter.

Sundowns ran away with the second chance and conquered the continent.

Coach Pitso Mosimane had a well-oiled team, full of confidence and a strong understanding. They stormed ES Setif’s home to embarrass the Algerian side to such an extent that their fans rioted, such was their anger about the upstarts who made their team look ordinary.

But since that campaign, Sundowns are the ones who have been made to look ordinary by upstarts.

Last year they were knocked out of an easy group which featured AS Togo-port, Horoya and Wydad Casablanca.

They started this campaign with a loss to lowly Lobi Stars and they have to shake off that defeat today in their clash with Wydad at Lucas Moripe Stadium (9pm kick-off).

“This is a different group, it is a team in construction,” Mosimane said.

“I don’t have it the way I want to have it. But as long as we are moving up the log, slowly, it’s okay. I don’t think that we are that embarrassing.

“We can put two or three passes together to make sure that we suffocate the teams, put them under pressure until the goal comes. They must crumble.

“It will come! You’ve got to put your hand here (on their necks); one mistake or one brilliant performance and it will happen.”

And there lies Sundowns’ problem. The team are able to hide some of their shortcomings in the domestic league, which gives them an impression that all is well. The Brazilians are five points behind leaders Bidvest Wits, who are in full flight, with three games in hand while they are limping.

The same cannot be said for their performances in the Champions League, where the smallest mistake is punished and it’s here that Sundowns are showing they are a team under construction.

Even though they are struggling, they have gone 27 games unbeaten in the league since last January. While Mosimane looks for the right combinations, teams he faces on the continent come motivated as they want to beat the former African champions.

Sundowns haven’t been able to handle that stress. It also doesn’t help that they tend to be onedimensional, insisting on using their interplay to unlock defenders when sometimes all they need is a bulldozer.

The Brazilians need to mix it up from time to time if they are to return to the heights they reached in 2016 when they lifted the Champions League for the first time.

“It is very important that we get three points against Wydad,” Mosimane said.

“This is a big game. I hope that we have the legs. I hope that we have enough strength because it will be tough between the 70th and 90th minutes. If we don’t have the energy we will be huffing and puffing, looking for that goal.”