Thapelo Morena has demanded a clinical performance from Mamelodi Sundowns to secure their place in the CAF Champions League group stages. The utility player’s message comes ahead of Friday’s decisive second-leg qualifier against Angolan side Wiliete SC at Loftus Versfeld.

After a 0-0 first-leg draw in Angola last weekend, the tie remains finely balanced. A goalless draw in Pretoria would send the match to penalties, while any scoring draw would see Sundowns eliminated. Coach Miguel Cardoso has laid out the simple equation for his squad: win and they go through.

Morena, a stalwart of the club’s continental campaigns, stressed the team is beyond making excuses. “We have passed the stage where we will speak about knowing how to deal with the moments and now in the stage of giving everything to the team,” he said. He added a clear declaration of intent: “No matter what we will go through.”

The 28-year-old admitted Sundowns should have performed better in the first half of the initial encounter. He highlighted the importance of the point earned away but knows the job must be finished at home. The team’s experience, particularly from players like Morena who have been part of this run for years, is seen as a key advantage against a resilient Wiliete side.

Qualifying for the group stages is a fundamental expectation for a club of Sundowns’ stature. They have reached this stage every year since 2016, with their last failure coming in 2015 against TP Mazembe. Maintaining that remarkable streak of consistency in Africa’s premier competition is a powerful motivator.

Domestically, Sundowns are in strong form, sitting first in the Premier Soccer League <a href="/standings">standings</a> with 23 points from nine games. They have scored 23 goals this season, averaging a goal every 35 minutes of play. Their focus now is on continental progression before they turn to their <a href="/fixtures">next fixture</a> against 10th-placed Durban City on 1 November.

Cardoso has emphasized his team’s ambition to win everything. Securing a spot in the group stages is the immediate and non-negotiable step. With the home advantage and their league-leading form, Sundowns are expected to control the game and create the chances needed to progress. The match kicks off at 8pm on Friday, with a place among Africa’s elite on the line.

The report in full is at goal.com