Mamelodi Sundowns get their CAF Champions League campaign underway against Jwaneng Galaxy on Tuesday afternoon.
The 2019/20 domestic treble winners are already sitting pretty at the top of the DStv Premiership standings, and will want to get their continental challenge off to a good start.
It hasn’t been all plain sailing for the Brazilians though – who remain unbeaten but have drawn three times, most recently 1-1 to an impressive Golden Arrows side in Durban this past Saturday.
As they prepare to take on their Botswana opponents, Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena says his side intend to return home with all three points from the First Round, first leg tie.
He said: “We need to get the result in Botswana and use the experience we have as a team to be able to qualify ourselves for the group stages
“It’s going to be difficult a one. You can see even the national team how there is a resurgence with regards to what is happening in Botswana. So we have to make sure we are well prepared.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us but we know what we must do. We might not be in best space emotionally but we know what to do. We need to galvanize and unify ourselves in getting good results.”
Galaxy coach Sikalame Keatlholetswe, meanwhile, says his side are looking forward to going toe-to-toe with their supposedly more illustrious opponents.
He said in the Daily News: “I see no difference between the two teams, we are both CAF and FIFA members, we are champions here and they are champions that side.
“This is the moment we have been waiting for.”
The Botswana Premier League champions secured their place in the First Round with a 5-2 aggregate victory over Comoros side Zilimadjou – winning 4-1 in the first leg before a 1-1 away draw.
The return leg will be played in Pretoria on January 6.