Pitso Mosimane has promised that Mamelodi Sundowns won’t sit back and defend when they face the reigning African champions Wydad Casablanca.

The Brazilians resume their Caf Champions League campaign on Friday night when they travel to Morocco to take on the defending champions Wydad in a crucial group game.

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Sundowns sit second in Group C with five points, but only lead third-place Horoya on goal difference. The 2016 Caf Champions League winners will thus be looking to pick up some valuable points away from home against the table toppers Wydad, who are currently on eight points.

A loss for Downs and victory for Horoya over AS Togo-Port could see the Brazilians face an uphill task in their attempt to progress to the knockout stages.

Speaking about his sides upcoming encounter, Mosimane told the clubs website, ‘I don’t think that Wydad will give you an opportunity for an all-out attack.

‘They are a big team, they are a strong team. You will see a sea of red in the stands. You know the story.

‘They will push us back. We need to be compact. We need to be smart. We can get a few breaks. You don’t get many opportunities there. But Sundowns always gets one or two chances to score,’ Mosimane added.

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Mosimane is well aware of the predicament that his side faces after a slow start to the competition. The former Bafana Bafana coach knows that his side will have to be smart in the way they manage Friday night’s game.

‘We need to manage that. If we don’t win, get a draw. But we mustn’t sit back and park the bus, we must play because they know that we can play. They saw it here that we pushed them.

‘They respect us. I need to get the right balance in midfield for that match. I need tigers for that match, people who will grind to get a result. It might not look pretty but we must keep going and probing,’ he added.

The South African tactician has become accustomed to planning ahead due to his sides congested fixture schedule and that again proved clear when he singled out the Horoya game as their defining fixture in the competition.

‘If you get three points, then you’ll be happy. One might also be enough because we have to sort out Horoya here in our last game,’ the 2016 Caf Coach of the Year explained.

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‘That game is a do-or-die. We must beat Horoya here or otherwise, it means we must win in Casablanca.

‘The Togolese might do us a favour by causing an upset and holding Horoya to a draw because I don’t think they’ll win. It’s tough in Guinea,’ Mosimane concluded.

Sundowns are no strangers to facing off against the Moroccan giants having previously clashed in last year’s competition and this will be the fourth meeting between the two sides.

Sundowns and Wydad will do battle on Friday night in the Caf Champions League in Morocco, with kick off scheduled for 8pm.