Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies head coach Jerry ‘Kappa’ Tshabalala says his side will have to “stamp their authority” when they take on Bayelsa Queens in the CAF Women’s Champions League opener on Monday.
Banyana Ba Style will be all out for maximum points against the Nigerian side in their quest to defend their continental title.
The much-awaited showdown will be played at Stade de Marrakech, with the kick-off set for 17:00.
The South Africa champions are pitted in Group B alongside Bayelsa Queens [Nigeria] , Wadi Degla [Egypt] and TP Mazembe [DR Congo].
Masandawana landed in Morocco on Friday and have hit the ground running with their preparations.
The red-hot Brazilians are one of the three teams that managed to qualify for this year’s Champions League edition.
Following the COSAFA Zonal Qualifiers disappointment back in August this year, coach Tshabalala reckons that they have learnt the hard way from the regional tournament and remains upbeat that they will defend their title.
The Chloorkop-based side had lost 6-5 on penalties to Zambia’s Green Buffaloes in the final of the COSAFA Qualifiers.
TSHABALALA ON TITLE DEFENCE
“Defending the titles we won last year was our major aim for this season. Thus far, we have won the Hollywoodbets Super League title and we are fully prepared to fight again for the continental trophy,” Tshabalala told Sundowns’ media.
“Although we lost out in the COSAFA final, we realized our mistakes and we are ready to rectify them as quickly as possible.”
‘Kappa’ further stated that they will do everything in their power to start the tournament on a high note to make things little bit easier for them moving forward.
STAMPING THE AUTHORITY…
“We have to stamp our authority in the opening game because it goes a long way in signalling our intentions early enough,” he added.
“As a team, we must fight together both on and off the pitch against Yenagoa-based Bayelsa Queens.
“We will be treating each game as a final because that is what champions do. To successfully defend our crown, our defending, pressing, and finishing must be spot on at all times.”
