Just days after ending the Betway Premiership title conversation, Mamelodi Sundowns will now cut their celebrations short and turn their attention to the CAF Champions League final, as they are now one step away from clinching that elusive second continental star.
Sundowns host Egyptian side Pyramids FC in the first leg of the Champions League final at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.
Masandawana head into the crucial encounter as the PSL champions for the record eighth consecutive time and 15th overall.
The Brazilians sealed the league when they beat Chippa United 3-0 in Gqeberha last week and finished the title race ahead of Orlando Pirates once again.
With Sundowns set to play their final league match against Magesi FC this afternoon at Loftus, coach Miguel Cardoso admitted that he was now already thinking about the two-legged continental final.
“Champions League? I will start thinking about it now. But that doesn’t mean we will not prepare well for Magesi, because they have been doing well in the last games.
“So, we need to prepare well for that game as well because we want to finish the league in the best way in front of our fans. But I will now start thinking about Pyramids and watching some of their games,” Cardoso said.
Cardoso and his side will be looking to get the job done at home against a tricky Pyramids outfit that recently stunned Pirates in the semi-finals.
Sundowns advanced to the final of the Champions League in style, when they eliminated the Club of the Century, Al Ahly, in their own backyard.
“We are building up to the final of the Champions League against Pyramids, so the more we win our games, the more confident we get going into that game,” said Dennis Onyango.
“So, the challenge and focus for us is the next game and just going to the Champions League final with some momentum.”
The return leg will be played in Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium next Saturday, and Sundowns will be hoping to head into that match with an advantage.
