Mamelodi Sundowns eye CAF Champions League final spot with Esperance advantage

Mamelodi Sundowns are on the verge of reaching back-to-back CAF Champions League finals, fueling strong belief within the squad that they can finally win the coveted crown this season.

Sundowns will face Esperance in the Champions League semi-final second leg at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).

The South Africans will head into the match high on confidence – they hold a solid advantage with a clean sheet and an away goal after a 1-0 win in the first leg in Tunis last Sunday.

The Brazilians’ win, which came courtesy of Brayan Leone’s goal, was also historic. It was the first time they beat Esperance away in the knockout stage of the competition in three successive matches.

The initial first-leg meeting ended in a 1-0 win for the North Africans at home, as Sundowns lost the quarter-final tie 2-0 on aggregate. In last season’s semi-final first leg, the match ended 1-0 in favour of Sundowns at home as they went on to win the tie 1-0 on aggregate after a goalless draw in Tunis.

Given all that, defender Keanu Cupido, speaking as one of the team’s representatives during their pre-match media duties at the club’s base in Chloorkop on Wednesday morning, revealed what reaching another final would mean for the club and the team.

“I think it would be good for any player in the country to win the Champions League. Everyone dreams of winning the Champions League,” Cupido said. “Playing for a big team like Sundowns is really a huge opportunity for all of us. We are able to show our qualities.

“Last season, we were very close, but we (could) now have another opportunity. We have learned from last season, especially after reaching the semi-final.”

Sundowns must grab the opportunity with both hands this season. This is also a make-or-break campaign for coach Miguel Cardoso.

The Portuguese coach has reached two finals with Esperance and Sundowns, losing to Al Ahly and Pyramids. Aside from wanting to make up for lost ground, his job security at Sundowns largely depends on him ending the club’s 10-year wait for another continental crown.

Having the team endured a sluggish start to the competition, Cupido is pleased with the turn of events, which is why there’s growing belief within the squad, crediting the team’s development.

“I don’t think there’s much of a difference between the last two seasons. We started badly last season, and this season as well,” Cupido reflected. “But I think as a team, we are improving together. We’ve started to believe that it’s possible.

“So, it’s just about believing in the players and the coaches, who are giving us that belief as well. We know that we can reach this stage.”

A Sundowns triumph in the competition would cement their status as one of the best teams on the continent. However, Cupido remains grounded, insisting it would come down to hard work and brotherhood paying off.

“I think it’s more about self-belief and who believes in you. Coming to Sundowns, there’s a lot of pressure. It’s a big team, and we want to win everything,” Cupido said.

“Once we get used to that as quickly as possible, it becomes easier because you are playing with very good players. They help you a lot – on and off the pitch. I think it’s about growing together.”

Sundowns will have to ensure their safe progression to the final without defender Grant Kekana, who received a red card in the first leg in Tunis. But Cupido has backed either Khulumani Ndamane or Keagan Johannes to fill Kekana’s big shoes alongside him in the nation’s capital.

“It’s a big blow,” Cupido conceded. “Grant has years of experience. He has helped us a lot. But we have Ndamane, who’s a young and talented player. There’s also Keagan as well.

“We know that they can fill Grant’s shoes, but they’ll also need my help because they are not that experienced at this stage of the tournament.

“But we’ve been doing well rotating the centre-backs. Each one has had an opportunity, and I think they’ve taken it with both hands. Now, there’s another chance for one of them to step in.”