“We Can’t Change The Past” – Santos On Sundowns’ Shock Champions League Exit Ahead Of Super Cup Clash
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Nuno Santos says that while failing to reach the CAF Champions League group stages as defending champions is something they cannot change, the disappointment still lingers within the squad.
Sundowns will not defend their continental crown this season after being knocked out in the second preliminary round by Angolan side Wiliete SC on the away goals rule.
The result sent shockwaves across the continent, as the Chloorkop outfit had consistently reached the deep stages of the tournament over the past four years.
However, as reigning Champions League holders, Sundowns turn their attention to Sunday afternoon’s CAF Super Cup clash against CAF Confederation Cup winners USM Alger at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
“Of course, we didn’t want to go out of the Champions League the way we did,” Santos admitted.
“At the same time, we cannot let that affect us in the upcoming games and competitions. We didn’t want it, the club didn’t want it, and the fans didn’t want it either. It is what it is—we cannot change the past, but we can change what is ahead. We are training every day to improve.”
Despite the continental setback, Sundowns have already secured two trophies this season. They lifted the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup after beating Al Ahli SC in Saudi Arabia in September—where Santos scored a brace—and reached the semi-finals of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup to set up a clash against the eventual Copa Libertadores champions and that of North America.
Last month, they added the MTN8 trophy to their cabinet with a 2-0 victory over Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Victory on Sunday would hand Sundowns their third silverware in three months, offering a degree of redemption to the club and its supporters following their early Champions League exit.
Santos, who wears the number 10 jersey at Chloorkop following the departure of Lucas Ribeiro Costa, was asked whether winning the Super Cup could help ease the disappointment among the club’s supporters.
The Portuguese attacker believes another trophy would certainly be welcome.
“Of course, adding one more trophy to this season is better than not adding one. So, we need to win it,” he said.
The winners of Sunday’s encounter will pocket USD 500,000, while the runners-up will receive USD 250,000.
