Sundowns keen to play in Confed Cup Group stage - Mosimane

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is pleased that his side took a giant step towards reaching the African Confederation Cup group stages last night.

The Brazilians defeated Ghana side Medeama SC 3-1 in the first leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium to take huge advantage into the second leg in two weeks time in Tarkwa.

Mosimane feels reaching the group stages will be good preparation for the African Champions League next year in February although he is fully aware they may not have an off-season.

“The problem is you can't do nothing. We want to play in the group stages,” Mosimane said.

“We've won the league seven times, we've won Telkom Knockout and Nedbank Cup so lets get something different. Lets go to the continent but it is difficult. We've a calendar here and it doesn’t suit us.

“But what it can help is that you can strengthen the team if you go through. But we will see if our preparations are right because now it's work and rest programme that needs to be done right.

“If you don't make them go and rest you will have problems.”

'Jingles' added that his players are now thinking about going on holidays having won the league but that they must finish the job first.

“You can see they want to go on holiday but they must play in the group stages. It is not easy but we will see.

“But when they qualify for group stages and they see TP Mazembe, Esperance and Etoile du Sahel, they will be able to say big teams are here. But Sundowns is like that, when it is difficult they come up."