Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena says they have to increase their mental intensity as they prepare to face CR Belouizdad in the Caf Champions League quarter-final second leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

The Brazilians stretched their unbeaten run to 21 matches after they returned to winning ways following their 1-0 victory over Richards Bay at Loftus Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Sundowns, who were already crowned champions of the 2022-23 DStv Premiership season, sit at the top of the league with 65 points from 27 matches played so far this season.

Mokwena praised his side for their performance against Richards Bay but admits his side have to be mentally strong for their upcoming Caf Champions League quarter-final second leg against CR Belouizdad on Saturday evening.

“We know that at Sundowns you have to play well and win, we know that. There are times where we have to show that we are Champions, we have to grind results a little bit and roll up our sleeves. It’s not always going to be pretty. It can’t be pretty because it’s not a world of realism and perfectionists. As I’ve said, I am very proud of the efforts of the players.”

“We have to try to win every game, [it is a] difficult time for us because every game now is a game of consequence, everyone is playing for something. Every game is a game of consequence, that means we have to be at our best at every training session and at every match.

“We have to fight and we have to be able to solve football problems and the dynamics of the problems, even sometimes when we are a little bit tired. It’s not easy, it’s tough and it’s the space Bayern are in, it’s the space Real Madrid are in.

“I am not so sure rotation is always the best thing. I look at how sometimes the level drops so drastically. And to elevate the performance levels because you lose a little bit of mental intensity being in camp concentrating and hyping yourself up mentally to be prepared for the next game and the next game.”

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