Sundowns players need to assist Pitso in CAFCL quest - Mweene

Kennedy Mweene

Wednesday Dec 19, 2018. 13:00

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene has called on his fellow teammates to pull their weight as the club aim to book their place in the group stages of the Caf Champions League.

The Brazilians were held to a 0-0 draw by Al-Ahly Bengazi in Cairo this past weekend, but will book their place in the group stages with victory over the same opponents in the South African capital this weekend.

Sundowns are eager to claim a second Caf Champions League title in four years, stating their intent by luring several high profile recruits to Chloorkop following the departure of both Percy Tau and Khama Billiat.

The league holders, though, have struggled for goals of late and despite boasting a 25 match unbeaten run in league matches, the Tshwane giants have been far from convincing in recent weeks.

Knowing all to well the high standards that are required to win the Caf Champions League, Mweene has underlined the importance of the role played by the club's senior players in making sure the new players settle.

“Coach Pitso Mosimane has started to rebuild the team. There are new guys like Toni Silva, Ali Meza, Gaston Sirino, Lebohang [Maboe] and Phakamani Mahlambi,” the Zambia international told the club's website.

“They have to gel with the team and know how to play in the Champions League. They have to learn a lot of things. It will take a bit of time, but that’s not an excuse.”

The 34-year-old continued:: “But also, the players who have been there before, we know the feeling and we are experienced, we have to help the coach.

“Players like Hlompho [Kekana], Anele [Ngcongca], me, Denis [Onyango], Anthony [Laffor] and all the other guys who are experienced and have been in the final of the Champions League, have to help the coach so that the new players can integrate easily.”