Neo Maema: I’m still learning a lot playing continental football

Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Neo Maema insists his side will do their best to get the results against Petro De Luanda in the Caf Champions League quarter-final first leg on Saturday.

The Brazilians are set to travel to the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda for the first of the two-legged fixture against the side from Angola.

Sundowns made their way to this stage of the competition after finishing as Group A winners with a record 16 points out of a possible 18 after six matches played in the group stages.

Maema, who is participating in his first Champions League campaign, is relishing the chance to make the most of his experience while playing top clubs from around Africa.

“The most important part of football is rest. We are very happy that we are scoring goals, it only means that we are getting in good positions offensively and we’ve always known that we are capable of scoring a lot of goals, we just had to execute and I’m happy that [we’ve been doing that] in our past games. This game won’t be any different, we will work hard as a team with the support of our coaches and everyone involved at the club.” Maema told his club’s official website.

“It is still an unbelievable experience with all the travelling; seeing other countries, adjusting to the different weather conditions and competing against the best. [I am] grateful and I feel I’m still learning a lot playing continental football and it can only get better from here individually and as a team.

“[I’ve learned] that when you win your away games and play with confidence, you stand a better chance of going into the next round. The responsibility has not changed from everyone [that forms] part of Mamelodi Sundowns and we will do our best to get the results against Petro De Luanda.”