Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners has shared insights on how the Tshwane giants responded to their shock defeat to Kaizer Chiefs over the weekend.
Chiefs came back from behind to beat Masandawana in Sunday’s semi-final of the Nedbank Cup in Pretoria.
Sundowns will turn their focus to another semi-final, this time in the CAF Champions League, on Saturday at the Loftus Stadium. The Brazilians host reigning African champions Al Ahly in a potentially explosive encounter. Kick off is 15h00.
The defending South African champions are chasing a second star, having won the Champions League under Pitso Mosimane in 2016. Sundowns have missed opportunities to win the competition in recent years and now face Ahly as they aim to reach the final for the first time in nine years.
HOW IS THE MOOD IN SUNDOWNS’ CAMP AFTER CHIEFS DEFEAT
The Bafana Bafana forward emphasised the resilience and determination within the squad.
“Every match, the motivation is still the same,” Rayners told journalists. “The mood is still good in camp, and for us as a team, we need to focus on one game at a time, especially after the past weekend. There’s always the opportunity to play another cup, another league match. Whatever happens, happens. It’s things we cannot control. But yeah, we’ll keep on pushing until the end.”
He added that the team had adequately prepared for the Ahly match and are eager to secure a victory at home to simplify things for the second-leg.
“For us, it’s to prepare well this week. And for us, as a team, it is to focus on winning the game at home. And, yeah, the team has been doing well. And this week has been good for us so far. So we’re looking forward to Saturday. And this is the moment.”
The former Stellenbosch FC striker also expresses that these are the moments he joined Sundowns for, and he is eager to win cup finals.
“I came to Sundowns to win trophies and to compete in every competition,” he added. Rayners is convinced this is an opportunity for Sundowns to go all the way. “Playing at Sundowns, especially even this weekend’s game, is a big game because we need to go to the final.”
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