Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has responded to the notion that they are favourites to win the CAF Champions League.
Masandawana earned a goalless draw against defending champions Wydad Casablanca in the semi-final first-leg away last weekend, despite having Neo Maema sent off in the first stanza and Marcelo Allende red-carded in stoppage time.
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The Brazilians remain unbeaten in this season's CAF Champions League and given their form at home, there are already suggestions the Tshwane giants are favourites to progress to the final and win Africa's premier club competition for the second time.
However, Mokwena says they should not be considered favourites ahead of clubs like Wydad, who are holders of the tournament and have been in the semi-finals seven times in the last eight seasons.
"No, you only have to watch the game (against Wydad). They call it football heritage, many people, there's a lot of clubs that won the (CAF) Champions League more than us," Mokwena said in a press conference.
"And there's a lot of clubs that have more pressure than us to win the Champions League every single year because they've done it more. Wydad are the defending champions. Wydad have now played out of the eight semi-finals they played seven times," he said.
Sundowns reached their first semi-final since 2019 after thrashing Belouizdad 6-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals and the young tactician went on and said it's important that they enjoy the opportunity, put their feet on the ground and continue to work hard.
"And so that is where we are. We just have to do the best that we can. We fight. We play well. We give the best we can to represent this football club, enjoy the opportunity because we know that it doesn't come to everybody and is not for everybody," he said.
"And we continue to work very hard, that's what we have to continue to do, stay focused, keep our feet on the ground," he added.
The winner between Sundowns and Wydad on aggregate will face the victor between Esperance de Tunis and Al Ahly. The Red Devils are enjoying a 3-0 lead from the semi-final first-leg away.
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