Memelodi Sundowns expresses confidence in its ability to defend the continental title, but coach Miguel Cardoso insists on focusing on each match individually. Although winning two consecutive CAF Champions League titles will be a difficult task because they will face all leading teams and newcomers, the Brazilians remain calm.
Despite Sundowns winning the tournament for the first time in ten years last season, their success was not accidental. They consistently fought for victory, reaching the semi-finals three seasons ago and the final two seasons ago before reaching the final.
Senior player Tapelo Marena compared the current situation to the club's domestic successes, noting that the team achieved a record eight consecutive league titles before losing the trophy to Orlando Pirates last season. Marena stated the team's ambition to win consecutive continental titles: 'As a team, we take responsibility for this. We believe in it. We can do it. We are ready to do it because we did it here, at home, in the PSL. Now we know the responsibility that comes after winning.'
He added that he understands that teams will target them regardless of the opponent, emphasizing the importance of playing at home: 'When we play at home, we give everything. That is the most important thing on the field.'
Nevertheless, Cardoso urged the team to remain composed. While defending the title remains the main goal, he strongly recommended his players focus solely on one match at a time, starting with the clash against Willete at Loftus Versfeld on Friday evening (at 20:00). This match is essential for Sundowns to secure participation in the Champions League group stage after a 0-0 draw in the first match in Angola last week.
Cardoso noted that continental expectations mean nothing to them: 'Even the question of what the continent holds is irrelevant to us. What matters is what the team wants: to relieve the pressure on themselves and shift it onto others. We only worry about ourselves. We focus on Willete, and there is nothing more important on the horizon than them. Absolutely nothing.'
The coach warned that excessive anticipation is a loser's mistake: 'It is a mistake that losers sometimes make—looking too far ahead and not paying attention to what is right in front of them. We are not suffering from a mentality that could weaken us.'
Winning a second consecutive title would be a historic and desired achievement for Tapelo Marena, who did not receive the winner's medal in 2016 because he was not registered for the tournament after his transfer from Bloemfontein Celtic in mid-August.