Mamelodi Sundowns will attempt to move on from their CAF Champions League disappointment when they face Marumo Gallants in the last 16 of the Carling Knockout at Loftus Versfeld Stadium today at 7pm.
The Brazilians were eliminated from Africa’s premier club competition after a 1-1 draw with Angola’s Wiliete SC on Friday. The result saw Sundowns go out on away goals and meant they failed to reach the Champions League group stage for the first time in more than 11 years.
Midfielder Tashreeq Matthews said the team must respond by returning to winning form in the Carling Knockout.
“That’s what we have to look forward to, I think the next one is a very important one. We’ve to overcome it and get back to winning ways and get over this feeling, win again and continue from there,” Matthews told the club media department.
“I think that will make things a bit better than what it is.”
Sundowns still have several opportunities to challenge for silverware this season. Alongside the Carling Knockout, they remain involved in the Super Cup, Fifa Inter-continental Cup, Nedbank Cup and Betway Premiership.
Matthews said the Champions League exit had been difficult to process, but insisted it could not prevent the club from pursuing its remaining targets.
“I think after the game, we’ve to reflect but it is also important that we take the steps forward and continue. It is difficult to get over what happened, but at the end of the day, you have to take the step forward because you have to continue,” he said.
“There are more things that need to be won, yes, it is the biggest title in Africa to win but we still have a lot of trophies to look forward to and to win.”
Marumo Gallants, however, believe Sundowns can be beaten and will not approach the tie expecting to surrender their place in the competition.
Gallants coach Ronnie Kanalelo pointed to the club’s previous success against Sundowns in this tournament, saying his side would compete for a place in the quarter-finals.
“What we are saying is that Sundowns are beatable, and as long as they are beatable it has happened before in the past in this competition. That’s what we are looking at. We are not going into this game handing it over on a silver platter, we are going to work for it, and they are also going to work for it. That’s the only thing I know,” Kanalelo said.
Gallants defeated Sundowns at the same stage of the Carling Knockout last season and progressed to the final, where they were beaten by Orlando Pirates.
