Downs focused on job at hand - Mabunda

Mamelodi Sundowns players during the Mamelodi Sundowns Training in Johannesburg, South Africa on July 25, 2016 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Mamelodi Sundowns players during the Mamelodi Sundowns Training in Johannesburg, South Africa on July 25, 2016 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Published Jul 25, 2016

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Johannesburg - Mamelodi Sundowns’ trip to Ghana for a CAF Confederation Cup group stage play-off encounter might not mean anything in the greater scheme of things after they were given a second chance in the CAF Champions League.

But that trip laid the foundation for their success in their second attempt.

In May, the Brazilians couldn’t leave Sekondi-Takoradi, a town in the south-west of that country, fast enough following a chaotic build-up and match against Medeama in Africa’s second tier club tournament.

The Brazilians were in that play-off after they were knocked out of the elité competition by the DRC’s AS Vita in the last 16.

Sundowns had to fight for their right to train at the match venue a day before the game and they faced a number of disruptive antics on the day.

But the Ghanaian side also held their own through their performance, frustrating Sundowns who failed to keep their calm as they realised that their continental campaign was coming to an end.

Tiyani Mabunda watched the first leg in the stands because he wasn’t registered for continental football then. With the second leg not televised, he had to rely on information from his teammates on how things went in Ghana.

“They told me that it wasn’t a pleasant stay there. Those guys did whatever they could to make sure they won,” Mabunda said.

“There is a reason why they refused the game to be televised, they had their own agenda. We are a team that is solely focused on what we do on the pitch. We avoid as much as we can (regarding) the negative things happening off the field that might distract us from doing the job at hand. I believe that the challenges they faced there were preparation for what we are going through now. That’s why we have been able to go to some of the most intimidating atmospheres and come back with wins.”

Mabunda scored in both those intimidating conditions - in Algeria against ES Setif and Egypt versus Zamelek in recent Champions League group stage matches.

Only one goal, however, stands after ES Setif fans couldn’t contain their disappointment at their club being outplayed by Sundowns to the point that they threw missiles onto the field.

The Algerian side were kicked out of the tournament by CAF and the result from that match was nullified.It was the second time that CAF flexing their muscle had a direct impact on the Brazilians - earlier the governing body kicked out AS Vita for fielding a suspended player.

The South African champions had to cancel their holiday plans, with continental success beckoning once again. They returned a stronger side because of what they experienced and registered a commanding 2-0 win in Algeria against ES Setif and a 2-1 victory over Zamelek in Egypt.

Those away matches show how far the players have grown mentally.It’s because of those matches that they are a point away from reaching the semi-finals. The club is even looking at topping the group.

They would achieve that with a victory over Zamalek on Wednesday at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

The Star

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