Exclusive I Nthethe says Sundowns would be willing to sacrifice the league reign to win Champions League

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Thabo Nthethe believes winning the CAF Champions League would make sacrificing every other trophy this season worthwhile—even if it means surrendering their long-running dominance in the league.

The Brazilians launch their continental campaign this weekend against DR Congo outfit Saint Eloi Lupopo in the group stage, having advanced with an emphatic 7–1 aggregate victory over Nigeria’s Remo Stars in the second preliminary round.

Since lifting the title in 2016, Sundowns have been a consistent force in the competition, with last season marking yet another closest attempt for them at reclaiming the crown after several semi-final exits.

Their narrow defeat to Pyramids FC last season, in a final that seemed destined for Chloorkop, has sharpened their focus even further as they aim to correct those fine margins this time.

Nthethe, a member of the 2016 squad under Pitso Mosimane, says the club’s ambition has only grown over the years. He believes the wait has been long enough, and Sundowns will push as hard as possible to finally secure a second star.

“Winning the Champions League will be a great achievement for the club, even if they don’t win the league or any other trophy that is available to them locally," Nthethe told Independent Newspapers.

“The Nedbank Cup will be coming up soon, and even if they miss out on that and bring the Champions League back home, they will be a happy side.”

It has not been the smoothest season for the Chloorkop-based side, and although they currently sit at the top of the Betway Premiership, they will want to assert themselves with greater authority—a hallmark of their previous title-winning campaigns.

Nthethe believes the pressure has been evident this season, but he feels the club’s experience will help them navigate this challenging period.

“I would say coach Cardoso is feeling the pressure because in his last few interviews there has been a lot said about how the team has been playing and also the supporters of the team also not being happy with how the team has been playing.

“I do not think it will affect them much coming into the Champions League; they are a team that reached two semi-finals in the last three seasons, and they are coming off a final last season, but the pressure will be on them.

“It will not be easy, but with their quality, they can overcome any challenge and return with the trophy.”

The Brazilians will face stern tests from Algerian outfit MC Alger and Sudanese side Al Hilal, with the match against the Algerian League One side set to be their first test away from home.

Nthethe added that their recent form, which hasn’t matched the high standards of previous seasons, makes the challenge more complex.

“Usually when they go into the group stages, they take a lead of six or seven points because they know that during that phase it will get tougher and it will take a lot from them.

“They are in a tough group, and it's tough in the domestic setup currently for them, so it will not be easy, but I am definitely sure that they will come with victory this coming weekend, and they will want to score a lot of goals playing in front of their fans.”