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. . MAMELODI SUNDOWNS see the Telkom Knockout as an opportunity to end what has been a good year on a high note.
The Brazilians were crowned Absa Premiership champions in May as they reclaimed the title they lost to Bidvest Wits in 2016/ 17, and while they may have been knocked out in the group stages of the Caf Champions League, Pitso Mosimane’s side can be happy with how things have gone for them in 2018.
The Telkom Knockout gives them an opportunity to win a domestic knockout competition for the first time since 2015.
In fact this very competition is the last knockout trophy they lifted.
Sundowns begin their campaign with a clash at home against Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday (18h00).
“It’s good to be playing at home. I like playing at home. You should understand the mentality of the game at home, our supporters love trophies. You can’t say that we’re prioritising the Champions League,” Mosimane said.
“That would be a mistake. Our supporters would kill us if you say that. What’s important is to try and make them happy and keep going. The longer we keep going without a trophy, the more there will be trouble. If you have congested fixtures like Sundowns and you’re out of a cup, it frees you to concentrate on the league and the Champions League but we have a cup that everyone loves. Our team wants the cup and we want it.
“It has been the norm at Sundowns, that every year there must be a cup won ever since I have been here. There must be one to land, hopefully it’s this one.”
Mosimane has been in Morocco doing his Caf Pro Licence and will be back in the country on Thursday, two days before the clash against Celtic. — KickOff
Online Reporter