Can Sundowns translate Champions League form to the league?

Mamelodi Sundowns managed to record the biggest score across all four Caf Champions League quarterfinal ties this past weekend as they breezed past Algerian side CR Belouizdad, beating them 4-1 to take a healthy advantage into the second leg.

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But that victory is now water under the bridge, defender Khuliso Mudau suggested.

Sundowns return to action in the DStv Premiership this afternoon and will look to get back to winning ways after drawing all three of their last games.

Masandawana will host Richards Bay at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium with the intention to add to the Natal Rich Boyz’s misery as they are without a win in their last 10 league games.

“We have a serious game against Richards Bay, the mentality is right in the team and since we have been drawing (since sealing the league title, Sundowns have drawn three league games in a row), we need to bring back the wins again,” said Mudau.

“They are a good side and since we have not been getting good results, we will go in with the right energy to win this game. As a team we have a 24 hours rule and we celebrated that win (over Belouizdad) and now we are over that, we are focused on Richards Bay,” he
added.

Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena said while it may have looked easy on the eye when his side bulldozed Beluizdad in the Champions League, he insisted that it took some extra effort to get an impressive win.

“The game will always be about small details when you get to this level. We asked for a lot of concentration and a lot of sacrifice. The players also worked really hard in watching the videos of the opposition so we knew a lot about them,” said Mokwena.

He has urged the Masandawana faithful to not celebrate just yet, as Beloluizdad head coach Nabil Kouki might still come with an ace up his sleeve.

“I have to give respect to the coach and the technical team. It is only the halfway mark of the tie. I would like to congratulate my players. I’m sure our supporters enjoyed watching them play.”