Confederation Cup: Newly-crowned PSL champions Sundowns shift focus to Medeama

Newly-crowned Absa Premiership Champions Mamelodi Sundowns have hardly had time to savour their hard-earned glory, having clinched the championship on Wednesday with an emphatic 3-0 victory over the University of Pretoria.

Pitso Mosimane's boys were back on the training ground preparing for yet another battle - their date with Ghana Premier League side Medeama Sporting who they meet in the first leg of the Confederations Cup at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

Sundowns lost out to AS Vita Club when they were pipped on the away goal rule despite their 2-1 home victory in the Champions League.

But they have put that disappointment aside, and put in some splendid performances to clinch the league title in style.

And now, they can focus on the Confederations Cup against a very young side - the majority of their players are under 23 years old and full of running.

However, they have battled somewhat in the league, garnering only 13 points from 10 games to date in their current campaign.

Add to that the fact that they have had to rope in Ghana Football association Technical director Oti Akenteng after team coach Tom Strand had reportedly gone AWOL following the club's 3-0 league defeat to Aduana Stars in March.

Despite this set-back, and a loss to Hasaacas, they have managed to beat Al Ahlly Shendi 2 - 0 to progress to the current round of the Confederations Cup.

Akenteng is an astute coach, having also coached Heart of Lion and Hearts of Oak, but whether he has had enough time with the young boys remains to be seen.

Sundowns are high in confidence and will be back at the venue where they have 'slaughtered' most of their opponents this season.

And their experience will also stand them in good stead, having played top sides in Ghana and other West and Southern African teams in previous CAF competitions and other pre-season tournaments.

Mosimane has made no secret of his disappointment at losing out in the Champions League.

He has also suggested taking advise from Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler and previous coach Roger De Sa.

The Buccaneers have had relatively good success in their African campaigns, and most recently reached the finals of the Confederations Cup.  Mosimane aims to go one better.

Liberian international Anthony Laffor, who has sat out most of the season following an injury while turning out for his national side, has come back with a massive bang, scoring a hat-trick against Tuks on Wednesday.

With this form, he is likely to feature in the same role on wide positions.

He has provided Mosimane with a conundrum - with Leonardo Castro available after serving a PSL one-match ban-and deciding what structure his attack should take is going to be difficult.

The technical team at Chloorkop will know that they have to make full use of their home advantage and score as many goals as possible without conceding any to take a healthy lead into the second leg to be played on 18 May.

Having bagged the league title to add to the Telkom Knockout mantle, Mosimane will go all out to add to his already impressive achievements.

The Sundowns faithful will no doubt turn up in numbers to cheer on their heroes, and Medeama will find the going tough.