Former Orlando Pirates assistant coach Chris O'Loughlin is adamant that Mamelodi Sundowns have nothing to fear when they face TP Mazembe this weekend.
O'Loughlin, who currently plies his trade as a coach for League one-outfit Charlton Athletic in the United Kingdom, has experience in coaching in South Africa, Congo, Australia and Belgium.
Speaking to Soccer Laduma, the UEFA Pro-licensed coach explained that Masandawana do not have anything to worry about when facing Mazembe on Saturday, as the title of being the African champions should be enough confidence to carry them through.
"At the end of the day, Sundowns are the Champions of Africa. They've got a lot of experience, I think, in their last five or six years they have played AS Vita a number of times, they've played against TP Mazembe a number of times so they are probably the most experienced South African side in playing against those teams," O'Loughlin said.
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"They are the champions of Africa so they don't have to go in to any game fearing anything, they are probably on top of their football at the moment. I understand they play with incredibly high intensity and confidence, I think it is a final that they can go into full of confidence and they do not have to fear anything of the unknown because they have experience against these type of teams."
O'Loughlin then went on to explain the difference between the players in Congo compared to Mzansi, and the type of intensity that can be expected in the upcoming CAF Super Cup final.
"In places like TP Mazembe, those players, the lifestyle is completely different to South Africa. The players there are playing for their lives and their family. When they play for TP Mazembe there is a lot of pressure on them and expectation to perform and to succeed, but at the same time, the players have always been known to be rewarded handsomely for their success.
"They are always incredibly motivated teams, they play as if their lives depend on it. But, I understand that they have also changed their coach now, so there will be a new dynamic to the team but the players, this is what they look forward to most in Congo, the African competitions," he added.
