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Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town coach Roger de Sa is optimistic that Mamelodi Sundowns will emulate Orlando Pirates' heroics in the next year's CAF Champions League.
Pitso Mosimane guided the Brazilians to their 2013/2014 ABSA Premiership triumph which awarded them a golden ticket to the 2015 continental showpiece.
Speaking exclusively to Sport24, the former Pirates coach said he has no doubt Mosimane will do well in the harsh conditions in Africa due to his experience with the national team.
"Pitso had plenty of experience in Africa with Bafana Bafana," said De Sa.
"I can only advise him about what worked for us (Pirates) in the competition and also what he must expect.
"He is a close friend of mine, sometimes we chat telephonically about the game.
"He has a good squad and I always tell him that they must be mentally prepared to play in those conditions.
"I am sure he will do well." He added.
While still at the helm of Pirates, De Sa overcame the odds and went all the way to the final, which they lost to the Egyptian giants and eight time holders, Al Ahly, 3-1 on aggregate.
The last time Sundowns reached a Champions League final was back in 2001 where they lost to Al Ahly, 4-1 on aggregate, under the reign of Ted Dumitru.
They will be joined, as South African representatives, in the competition by Kaizer Chiefs after Amakhosi finished as league runners-up.
Chiefs also participated in the tournament this year but were eliminated in the last round of the preliminary stage by AS Vita of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The winner of Saturday's Nedbank Cup final between Pirates and Wits will compete in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Both continental competitions will commence in February next year.
Pitso Mosimane guided the Brazilians to their 2013/2014 ABSA Premiership triumph which awarded them a golden ticket to the 2015 continental showpiece.
Speaking exclusively to Sport24, the former Pirates coach said he has no doubt Mosimane will do well in the harsh conditions in Africa due to his experience with the national team.
"Pitso had plenty of experience in Africa with Bafana Bafana," said De Sa.
"I can only advise him about what worked for us (Pirates) in the competition and also what he must expect.
"He is a close friend of mine, sometimes we chat telephonically about the game.
"He has a good squad and I always tell him that they must be mentally prepared to play in those conditions.
"I am sure he will do well." He added.
While still at the helm of Pirates, De Sa overcame the odds and went all the way to the final, which they lost to the Egyptian giants and eight time holders, Al Ahly, 3-1 on aggregate.
The last time Sundowns reached a Champions League final was back in 2001 where they lost to Al Ahly, 4-1 on aggregate, under the reign of Ted Dumitru.
They will be joined, as South African representatives, in the competition by Kaizer Chiefs after Amakhosi finished as league runners-up.
Chiefs also participated in the tournament this year but were eliminated in the last round of the preliminary stage by AS Vita of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The winner of Saturday's Nedbank Cup final between Pirates and Wits will compete in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Both continental competitions will commence in February next year.
