In a determined shift of focus, Mamelodi Sundowns are channeling their ambitions toward domestic competitions following an early exit from continental play, where they fell short of reaching the group stages.
Head coach Miguel Cardoso characterized the team’s disqualification as a significant setback, especially given his history of guiding Sundowns to three consecutive finals in the previous seasons.
However, Marumo Gallants’ coach, Kanalelo, suggests that Sundowns’ desire to rebound could render them an even more formidable opponent going forward.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS WILL BE POWERFUL
The former goalkeeper for Ka Bo Yellow acknowledged that the timing of their upcoming matchup with Sundowns might play into his squad’s favor.
Still, he hesitated to assume that the champions’ recent continental failure would diminish their competitiveness.
“It could be the right time or the wrong time. Are they disappointed? Absolutely, they are disheartened about being out of the Champions League. This could present an advantage for us, but it might also mean they’re more focused on winning domestically,” he explained.
Kanalelo highlighted the depth of talent in the Sundowns roster, noting that even if Cardoso opts to rotate his squad, the substitutes maintain the capability to perform at an elite level.
WARNING TO OPPONENTS
For Gallants, this situation poses a significant challenge despite Sundowns’ recent disappointments on the continental stage.
“They have made numerous changes, and with the quality they possess, the substitutes are eager to prove themselves. You can’t determine if it’s a good or bad time to play them; their quality remains high and they are very strong,” he added.
The coach further mentioned that Gallants are keen to ascertain if Sundowns have been psychologically impacted by their Champions League exit.
He stressed that the defending champions have weathered tough situations before and have the experience necessary to rebound from adversity.
“They have faced challenges in the past; this isn’t their first setback. Our goal was to see how much they’ve been affected. It is evident they didn’t underestimate us,” he stated.
On a positive note for Gallants, the team has garnered momentum after securing their first win of the season against Siwelele FC. They rallied from behind to achieve a 3-2 victory on Friday, lifting them from the bottom of the Betway Premiership standings.
Kanalelo’s squad aims to build on this success as they prepare to face Golden Arrows before the upcoming FIFA international break.
Discussion about this post