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Mosimane wary of SuperSport threat

Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says he is all too aware of the threat SuperSport United pose in their pursuit of defending the Telkom Knockout title.

Stuart Baxter's charges have been on an eight-game unbeaten streak this season in all competitions, with the Tshwane-based outfit recording a convincing 6-1 victory over Orlando Pirates in their most recent encounter.

Ironically, SuperSport's last loss actually came at the hands of their arch-rivals in a 3-1 defeat in the MTN8.

Following their CAF Champions League heroics, Mosimane's side defeated Polokwane City in the knockout competition, lost to Cape Town in the league, before again defeating Polokwane in the league.

And the former SuperSport mentor has suggested that his team are 'still on a honeymoon' after being crowned as the best team in Africa.

"I just believe that mentally and physically we were still in the honeymoon from the Champions League," Mosimane told KickOff.

"I don't know if we are back I think we put in a good performance (against Polokwane City).

"We need to be careful because they are scoring goals and winning plus they are showing that the team is getting stronger and the confidence is there and the goals are flowing so we need to be very careful against SuperSport United."

Reflecting on his side's run of mixed results in the wake of their CAF Champions League triumph, Mosimane added: "The only thing that can humble you and bring you back is when you lose to Cape Town City.

"The players then become cocky and say okay, I spoke to them yesterday and they said 'coach, don't worry we will handle it'. 

"So fortunately we have slowly come out from the bottom of the log and in a cup game the game tempo always rises. Just look at our game against Polokwane.

"At Sundowns we need to attack because we have to play to win and it is very difficult. You have to understand that at Sundowns we have to play on the other side of the pitch and attack. 

"The tradition and the culture at Mamelodi Sundowns is that you have to play. However, it will be a totally different game on Saturday because firstly it is a derby, secondly it is a cup game, and I always say cup games have their own tempo and emotions and you don't have to look back.

"Just look at the top eight (MTN8) game that we played against them which was a little bit tense. 

"Both teams want to win but we still have important players that played in the Champions League final that are not yet back. But we don't make excuses about that, though it is affecting us. We will have 11 playing plus seven on the bench," he concluded.

The two sides lock horns at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Saturday, kick-off scheduled for 18:00.

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