Pretoria - Ahead of their much anticipated trip to the FIFA Club World Cup on Monday, Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene said the Brazilians are going to Japan to compete with the rest for top accolades instead of just making up numbers.
The 2016 CAF Champions League winners will depart for Yokohama later today to participate in the global club spectacle which kicks off on Thursday with host side, Japanese J-League winners Kashima Antlers, taking on New Zealand Champions League winners, Auckland City.
The Zambian international shot-stopper said it will be a different ball game in Asia, but the Pretoria giants are determined to represent the rest of the continent.
"Things are getting tough and tougher for us. It means that we have to work extra-hard because we are playing week-in and week-out," said Mweene.
"And yes we are going to Japan not to just participate, but to compete with the rest of the world. It won’t be easy we know that, but we also know the opponents we are going to face.
"It will be a different ball game that side and it’ll need a lot of concentration and hard work. We are doing that as a team and I believe that we’ll do well at the Club World Cup."
Sundowns are set to play their first fixture on Sunday against Kashima Antlers or Auckland City, depending on who wins their match.