CAFCL: Sundowns focus is to beat Al Ahly at home - Iqraam Rayners

Photo Credit - Mamelodi Sundowns Media.

Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners has revealed their plans ahead of the crunch first leg semi-final clash of the CAF Champions League against defending champions Al Ahly at Loftus Stadium on Saturday.

After being knocked out of the Nedbank Cup following a 2-1 quarter-final defeat against rivals Kaizer Chiefs, the Brazilians will shift focus to the inter-club competition fixture seeking to reach the final. However, they will have to navigate past the North Africans giants from Egypt to stand a chance of reaching the final.

“Every match, the motivation is still the same,” Rayners told reporters ahead of the game as quoted by FARPost. “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. Its things we cannot control. But yeah, we’ll keep on pushing until the end. 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.”

He concluded: “I came to Sundowns to win trophies and to compete in every competition. Playing at Sundowns, especially even this weekend’s game, is a big game because we need to go to the final.”

Sundowns are chasing for a second Champions League trophy, having won it in 2016 under Pisto Mosimane.