In the two seasons Marcelo Allende has played for Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League, the midfielder has identified a key element into why they have fallen short of going all the way in the competition.
Sundowns were booted out in the semi-finals of the last two editions, falling short of reaching the final they last got to feature eight years ago under former coach Pitso Mosimane.
Last season, they were knocked out by Esperance, who won the tie 2-0 on aggregate. After winning the first leg in Tunisia 1-0, Esperance bagged another solitary goal in the second leg at Loftus Stadium to confirm their spot in the final. The campaign before that, a Mothobi Mvala own goal sent Wydad Casablanca to the final, so they will be hoping that they are not victims on the away goals this season.
READ: Manqoba Discusses His Job: 'It's Unlike A CEO...'
Sundowns' group stage campaign commences with a home match against Congolese outfit Maniema Union at Loftus Stadium on Tuesday evening, needing a serious "pick me up" after the disappointment of Bloemfontein this past weekend.
The Carling Knockout final defeat this past weekend to rookies Magesi FC is still fresh on the minds of players, but they have to rise to the occasion and show that they have the right mentality to deliver immediately after a setback.
"For the past two seasons, we were eliminated in the semi-finals and in both situations, it was more on losing with the away goal rule," the Chilean midfielder said at a press conference held at Loftus Stadium on Monday.
"Against Wydad, they scored two goals (at Loftus Stadium), which was a huge thing to be eliminated in the semi-finals. Last season, it was also a situation of the away goal rule, but we understand the dynamics of this. The more goals you score, the better you are to put yourself in the final. The team is capable of competing and winning.
READ: Why Three Defeats In Three Finals? Mngqithi Responds...
"We have to get ready and bounce back because Sundowns is a big team. We could not win the final, but our objective remains the same, which is to win everything. We are going to bounce back and come back stronger."
Sundowns are in Group B of the competition, which also features Moroccan clubs AS FAR and Raja Casablanca.
By Tshepang Mailwane
Follow him here on X
