"Winning is a habit and we need to finish strong" - Rhulani Mokwena
By Neo Poho
The conclusion of the CAF Champions League group stages is on the horizon this weekend with Mamelodi Sundowns looking to end their impressive group B run on a high note.
Having played 5 matches so far winning three and drawing two, Sundowns have already qualified for the knockout stage of the competition and a victory for them over the weekend will see the DSTV Premiership defending champions end the group on 14 points.
They welcome a Coton Sport side at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night that has not secured any point in the group so far, the Cameroonian side have lost all their five group B encounters in a group that also consists of Al-Ahly and Al-Hilal.
Despite Sundowns already going through to the knockout phase of the competition, head coach Rhulani Mokwena has hinted his side has no intentions to remove the foot off the pedal on Saturday.
"We want to make sure that we complete the group stages with the same excellence that we played every single match, winning is a habit and it is important to go into the knockout rounds with the feeling of winning and this is the mentality that we carry into this match," Mokwena said.
Sundowns will also be boosted by the return of their players that were on international duty during the FIFA international break and Mokwena believes that it is important that Sundowns play with their trademark style and keep their consistency.
"Part of our way of how we want to play is because we want to play like that, not because it looks good. We do that because we believe that is the best way of winning football matches and so we try to make sure that we work very hard every single day at training."
With Sundowns winning the CAF Champions League in 2016 under the guidance of Pitso Mosimane, there is an air of belief in the Chloorkop camp that Masandawana will get their hands on the trophy once again.
Amid the possibility of Sundowns potentially winning the Champions League again, Mokwena speaks about ambition versus obsession and claims that his side harbour the former when it comes to the Champions League.
"The ambition to win the Champions League is not an obsession, it is the same ambition that comes from wanting to win the DStv Premiership and the domestic cups. The ambition to win the Champions League is a dream, not an obsession, obsession comes from darker spaces," Mokwena added.
Meanwhile, Mokwena also claimed the February/March DSTV Premiership Coach of the Month award after guiding his team through the month unbeaten, this means Mokwena has now won the accolade for the second time in succession this season.
Kick-off against Coton Sport on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld is at 21:00.
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