Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene expects a tactical and tough match when they open their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group A campaign against Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Friday.
Sundowns, winners of the title in 2016 are looking to pump up their bid for a second continental title, and Mweene believes starting the group phase action with a win will be a statement of intent from The Brazilians.
“We have faced them twice and it won’t be easy. It’s always a tactical game and for us it’s not about revenge, it’s about us seeing the team going forward. We are treating each and every team in our group the same, we pay attention to a lot of detail,” says the Zambian shot-stopper.
“It’s like a mandate at Sundowns that every season we have to always be in the Champions League.” Mweene
He adds; “We have to work hard because when you look at all the teams you see they work a lot on set plays and quick restarts. The three teams in our group rely a lot in set plays and we just have to work extra hard on those areas.”
Bafana BaStyle will also get to play against former manager, Pitso Mosimane when they face Al Al Ahly later in the group stages, Al Merrikh are the other side in the group.
Mweene was part of the Sundowns class that won the competition in 2016 where he was on the bench in the first leg match with Dennis Onyango in goal. Themba Zwane and Onyango are the other two remaining players from the matchday squad.
“It’s like a mandate at Sundowns that every season we have to always be in the Champions League. Playing in the Champions League is important because there is a lot of experience you get even when you get to the national team for qualifiers.”
“Having won the trophy in 2016 has become something that the players here want to do again but we have to start by winning our home games. It’s important that we start well, getting three points it will give us confidence going to the second game against Al Ahly,” says Mweene.
Source: CAF