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Sundowns’ players celebrating
Mamelodi Sundowns defender Mosa Lebusa says they need a comprehensive victory at home for a descent advantage in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final against Egyptian club, Pyramids FC, at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The Brazilians have a second continental club title in their sights, while Pyramids FC are playing in their first Champions League final.
In 2016, Sundowns comfortably won 3-nil at home but lost 1-nil away to win the final 4-1 on aggregate against Zamalek.
Sundowns will be aiming for their second CAF Champions League crown.
Defender Mosa Lebusa is hoping history will repeat itself on Saturday.
“I think it will ease up the pressure on us if we seal it at home, but CAF games are very different to other competitions, if we don’t manage, we will make sure we stay in the game as long as possible but come Saturday with the 12th man we think we stand a very good chance of sealing it.”
Mamelodi Sundowns left back, Aubrey Modiba is hoping it will be second time lucky for him in his second continental final. The Bafana Bafana international played in the CAF Confederation Cup final for SuperSport United when they lost to TP Mazembe in 2017.
“The last time I played for SuperSport it was our first one. We didn’t have much experience, we saw how we fell short in that game but right now having played so many Champions League games at Sundowns, I think right now we understand what it takes to reach the final and try and win it, because it has been eluding us for so many years but I think we are on the right track.”
Attacking player, Tashreeq Matthews joined Sundowns from IK Sirius in Sweden in January last year, having also played for German giants Borussia Dortmund. He says he took a risk coming back home, but he feels that joining Sundowns was the best move in his career.
“I mean coming back it was a difficult decision, but I came back to the best team in South Africa and winning trophies and just now we are in CAF final as well it says a lot. In Europe I didn’t win trophies besides individual awards but now i am winning trophies together with the team.”
The Brazilians have lost their last three domestic cup finals and need a change in fortunes.
Saturday’s first leg kicks off at 3pm at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld.
The return leg will be in Egypt a week later, the 1st of next month.
