CAFCL: Kekana rallies Sundowns amid spying scandal

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana has issued a rallying cry to his teammates, demanding a massive hike in intensity as the Brazilians face a defining week for their season.

With the Betway Premiership title defence and a Nedbank Cup run on the line, all eyes are currently fixed on Saturday’s “win-or-bust” CAF Champions League clash.

The stakes could not be higher for the Tshwane giants. They host Algerian champions MC Alger at Loftus Versfeld Stadium [15:00 CAT] knowing that anything less than a victory will result in a shock group-stage exit.

The 20% Factor By Grant Kekana

Addressing the growing anxiety among the Yellow Nation following a string of inconsistent displays, Kekana was blunt about what is required to turn the corner.

“We understand the fans’ frustrations. They obviously expect better from us, and we expect better from ourselves,” Kekana admitted. “When I talk about bringing the team back, it’s about giving that extra 20 percent. That’s what we’re working towards, and there will be a turnaround soon.”

The Brazilians enter the tie on a worrying four-match winless streak in the Champions League. With only seven goals scored in five group outings, the usual attacking fluency of Masandawana has been noticeably absent.

“Results haven’t been coming our way, and it’s not from a lack of trying,” Kekana insisted. “It’s about being a lot more clinical in front of goal, but also learning to protect our lead and not taking teams for granted. It’s about having the right attitude.”

Intrigue Off the Pitch

The drama isn’t limited to the four lines of the pitch. Sundowns’ preparations have been rocked by the suspension of performance analyst Mario Masha, who faces allegations of leaking tactical information to former coach Rulani Mokwena—the man now at the helm of Saturday’s opponents, MC Alger.

While Mokwena has denied the “spying” claims, the narrative adds a layer of psychological warfare to an already explosive fixture. For Kekana, however, the noise outside Chloorkop must be tuned out in favor of execution.

“It’s just about us applying ourselves each and every day from training to the games,” he added. “We’re trying to end the season on a high and hopefully things go our way.”

By The Numbers: Sundowns’ Group C Struggle

The numbers paint a stark picture of the uphill battle facing Sundowns as they head into their final Group C fixture. Having failed to register a victory in their last four continental outings, the Brazilians have struggled to maintain their usual dominance, netting only seven goals across five matches while shipping six at the back.

This uncharacteristic lack of clinical edge has left them in a precarious position where their status as African giants is on the line; with zero room for error, the mandate is now a simple “win or bust” to guarantee qualification for the knockout stages.