Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says it is important to beat Algerian team USM Alger in the CAF Champions League on Saturday afternoon.

Sundowns beat USM 1-0 late in December away from home. Sundowns could be on the verge of qualifying for the quarter-finals if they win on Saturday.

Sundowns are on top of the log with seven points after two wins and a draw. They are followed by Wydad, USM and Petro de Luanda. Mosimane says it is important they finish on top.

USM are on the verge of being eliminated if they lose on Saturday. They are yet to win a match with two draws and one defeat in three matches. Mosimane says they will come against guns blazing.

Sundowns have a heavy schedule playing in two competitions with the Nedbank Cup also coming up in the next few weeks. Mosimane says it is the price they are paying for being an ambitious team.

Sundowns will be missing key strikers Mauricio Affonso, Gaston Sirino, Ali Meza, Phakamani Mahlambi and Siphelele Mkhulise. Mosimane says he has faith in the makeshift strikers.

Sundowns recently won the Telkom Cup and they are on verge of reaching the champions league and are second on the log. Mosimane says his players are mentally strong.

– Report by Vincent Sitsula