No rest for Sundowns

There was literally no Christmas break for Mamelodi Sundowns as they trained this week on Christmas Day ahead of tomorrow’s Caf Champions League Group C encounter with USM Alger.

The Brazilians did find time to wear some Santa hats and dance around at their team hotel in Algeria, but later it was back to business as Pitso Mosimane’s (below) men look to maintain control of their group.

A comfortable win at home to Petro de Luanda and a hardfought draw at Wydad Casablanca have put Sundowns in pole position to make the quarterfinals, and victory at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker would put the icing on an extremely successful 2019, in which the Tshwane giants have won the Absa Premiership and the Telkom Knockout, while also featuring in the semifinals of the 2018/19 Caf Champions League.

USM Alger, however, are also determined to beat Sundowns and take their place at the top of the group, with two draws in the bag thus far in Group C, away to Petro and at home to Wydad.

Bilel Dziri’s side lost in the Algerian top flight to USM Bel-Abbes on Saturday and are struggling in their domestic championship this season, with just 17 points from 12 games thus far, looking unlikely to be able to retain their title.

“It is certain that the defeat ... against the USMBA remained in our throats ... But we must forget this setback and focus on our African meeting, namely the match between us and Mamelodi Sundowns.,” Dziri told the Algerian website competition.dz.

“The preparation for this meeting continues under very good conditions. We must continue to prepare for it properly because victory remains imperative.

I have watched a few games of the Mamelodi Sundowns and it is clear that I have an idea about our opponent. It’s a team that is one of the best on the continent.”

Kick-off is 6pm SA time.