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Cape Town - SuperSport United coach Stuart Baxter believes Mamelodi Sundowns will be victorious in their opening Club Word Cup tie, if they face Kashima Antlers on Sunday.
The CAF Champions League winners will go up against the victors of the playoff match between Antlers and Auckland City. Baxter, who spent five years coaching Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Vissel Kobe in the J-League, is adamant that Pitso Mosimane's charges can defeat the Antlers if they meet each other.
"Antlers have fanatical support," he told Sowetan Live.
"They've got Brazilian roots‚ because Zico was the coach there for a long time. He still has some sort of honorary presidential role.
"When I coached in Japan Antlers had Bismarck‚ Leonardo‚ Mazinho - I think four of the 1990 Brazilian World Cup team.
"So they have Brazilian roots and they want to play - which is good for Sundowns.
"They do play quick because the Japanese players are all decently mobile.
"But if you were asking me - and I'm not a betting man - but if I were going to put some money on‚ I'd have a little bet on Sundowns.
"Because I think Sundowns are organised enough‚ and I don't think they'd be upset if it was a bit of a Brazilian-style game.
"I think they'll enjoy that more than if it was a very structured game‚ where Antlers are hitting balls behind their back four and penetrating them.
"This is going to be a game that's going to be a bit South African. I think Sundowns in this one have got a real chance," he concluded.
