Sundowns host Rulani Mokwena’s side on Saturday at 15:00 at Loftus Versfeld. The stakes are as high as they can get.
Kabo Yellow, currently placed third in the group, are two points off top spot. Only this match is left to secure a place in the quarterfinals.
The two sides will have their second showdown of the campaign after a highly entertaining 0-0 draw in Algiers.
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HLOMPHO KEKANA SENDS A MESSAGE TO MAMELODI SUNDOWNS PLAYERS
Heading into the reverse tie in Tshwane, Sundowns’ former skipper Kekana has some hard-hitting questions for the players.
“As much as there’s pressure, you always have to enjoy the moment,” Kekana said on The Pitchside podcast. “But if you find yourself in a moment where you have to always think of the results, then you are on the edge. The string is very, very thin.”
TEAM CHEMISTRY CALL
“The team needs to be together now. I must be in sync with Villa. I must always think about what he’s going to do. I must know what he is thinking.
Kekana explained that improvement comes through honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversations within the team.
He said they had to tell each other the truth, admitting they did not perform well in Lubumbashi, but also reassuring one another that better movement would create opportunities.
The former Sundowns ace said teammates also challenge each other to avoid being too busy on the ball. He warns against unnecessary touches, and overplaying can cost the team a decisive run that could lead to a goal.
“Now, this is a difficult conversation that we have, but it brings the team together. You’ll be surprised how the team will come out of this. If they tap into those moments to say, we are angry, we are not happy. We know we are better than this.
The Zebediele-born legend pointed out that just six months ago, they were competing against some of the biggest teams in the world. They proved what they are capable of.
He stressed that it is impossible for the team to suddenly become poor within the space of four months. Kekana feels it is impossible for the quality to simply disappear overnight.
“Can we show up in moments and make it difficult for them? Especially at home, I think the only favour you can do for yourself is to make sure that you come out of this group. How it is done, it doesn’t really matter…” the Sundowns icon concluded.
DO YOU AGREE WITH HLOMPHO KEKANA?
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