Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has admitted that his side is being targeted by all the 16 teams in the DStv Premiership.
Masandawana defeated Chippa United 2-0 in a league encounter at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at the weekend.
Sundowns have been a force to be reckoned with in domestic football, winning six successive league titles and several cup competitions: the Nedbank Cup and MTN8.
As they look to defend their league title and compete in Africa, the Brazilians have made high-profile signings locally and across Europe. In the off-season, Sundowns signed Junior Mendieta, Lesiba Nku, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Thapelo Maseko and Bathusi Aubaas.
Meanwhile, Sundowns had an impressive start to the 2023/24 campaign after winning all four of their opening league games. They are currently positioned top of the table with 12 points.
With Sundowns turning themselves into one the hardest teams to beat in the PSL, Mokwena has admitted that all 16 teams are plotting against them.
RULANI MOKWENA ADMITS TO BEING A TARGET TO PSL TEAMS
“Every opponent playing against us plays completely differently from when they are playing everyone else,” Mokwena.
“We have a target on our back, everybody wants to beat us. It’s very difficult being us, but heavy is the head that carries a crown.”
Although Sundowns have been dominant in domestic football, winning the league six times in a row. However, they have seemingly struggled to replicate the same form in the CAF Champions League.
The Chloorkop-based side has, in the past seasons fallen short in the knockout stages of the tournament. Sundowns were eliminated in the last eight of the Champions in the 2021/22 season by Al Ahly.
In the previous campaign, they were knocked out of the semi-finals by Wydad Casablanca, who went on to lose the final against Al Ahly.
Furthermore, Sundowns will face Kaizer Chiefs in the two-legged MTN8 semi-finals, with dates and times yet to be confirmed.
The two sides already clashed in the league, where Sundowns won the match 2-1 at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
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