CAFCL: Sundowns will deal with whatever Esperance throws at them – Kekana

Photo Credit - Mamelodi Sundowns Media.

Ahead of their return leg quarter-final fixture of the CAF Champions League against Esperance, Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana is confident they have what it takes to handle whatever the Tunisian giants will throw at them.

The Brazilians secured 1-0 advantage over the Tunisian outfit courtesy of a Peter Shalulile side to put one leg in the semi-finals of the lucrative inter-club competition ahead of the return leg contest at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi.

“I think a huge confidence booster, we were able to see what they're about, what they wanted to come here with. They wanted to be on a transition, they were cheating a lot upfront but I think we managed to deal with them well, hopefully we can build on this, especially going to Tunisia,” said Kakena as quoted by SABC Sports.

“We know what to expect but we've also been in CAF for quite a number of years so we know about the hostility, but it's something that we won't focus on. We just wanna go that side, make sure that we're able to do the job, so we can make our supporters proud.”

On playing the return leg away in North Africa, Kakena said: “It definitely helps, we’ve gained a lot of experience and we're open to all the challenges that we come across. So, it will be no different, they're gonna do what they can to make sure that they destabilise us, but we're strong enough, we're committed, there's a lot of brotherhood, so yeah.

“They started pressing us high but we knew what to do, we had to just manage the game, make sure we don't concede because we obviously had the need and just make sure we come out with positive results.”

Last season, it was Esperance, who eliminated Sundowns at the semi-final stage of the competition.