Sundowns, who were reinstated into the CAF Champions League after AS Vita were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player, began the group phase of the competition with a very impressive 2-0 victory away over Algerian side ES Setif.

But after Setif were also thrown out of the competition due to crowd trouble, Sundowns lost the three points they earned and are now targeting their first points of the group when they take on the Peoples' Elephant in Tshwane.

Brazilians coach Pitso Mosimane says it is imperative that his team keep a clean sheet against the west Africans.

“We have learnt that in the Champions League, you must never concede at home, especially in knockout stages. That’s the lesson we learnt rather than complaining that we lost three points," he was quoted as saying on IOL.

“You should be able to qualify for the final. You have to win two games at home. You beat Zamalek and Enyimba then you are on six points. It gives you an opportunity. The mentality has changed a little bit. We have found our confidence to go out and win,” he added.

The former Bafana Bafana coach however accepts that his side are in for a big challenge against the Nigerian club.

“They have got a good attack. You know Nigerians. They are gladiators. They have a very aggressive mentality. We know what tackles we are going to get.

"We should also know that on set-pieces, they are strong. They jump. We have got the right play and the right team to win but we don’t have the proper balance. People are sick with flu, some are suspended. Some are gone."

Psl—