Matthews calls for a response after CAF shocker

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Tashreeq Matthews says they will come back stronger following their CAF Champions League exit as they switch their focus to the Carling Knockout.

The Brazilians are still reeling from their failure to progress to the group stage of the Champions League, after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Wiliete SC of Angola on Friday to exit through away goals. It was the first time in over 11 years that Sundowns failed to make the Champions League group phase.

They will host Marumo Gallants in the last 16 of the Carling Knockout at Loftus Versfeld Stadium today (7pm).

“That’s what we have to look forward to, I think the next one is a very important one. We’ve to overcome it and get back to winning ways and get over this feeling, win again and continue from there,” Matthews told the club media department.

“I think that will make things a bit better than what it is.”

With the Carling, Super Cup, Fifa Inter-continental Cup, Nedbank Cup and the Betway Premiership titles to play for, Matthews said they are still motivated to go all out and try to win them.

“I think after the game, we’ve to reflect but it is also important that we take the steps forward and continue. It is difficult to get over what happened, but at the end of the day, you have to take the step forward because you have to continue,” he said.

“There are more things that need to be won, yes, it is the biggest title in Africa to win but we still have a lot of trophies to look forward to and to win.”

Meanwhile, Gallants coach Ronnie Kanalelo said they are not going to hand this game to Sundowns, but to fight to try and get into the next round.

“What we are saying is that Sundowns are beatable, and as long as they are beatable it has happened before in the past in this competition. That’s what we are looking at. We are not going into this game handing it over on a silver platter, we are going to work for it, and they are also going to work for it. That’s the only thing I know,” Kanalelo said.

Gallants eliminated Sundowns at this same stage of the competition last season and went on to reach the final before losing to Orlando Pirates.