Mamelodi Sundowns co-head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has warned against underestimating the remaining teams in the MTN8.
As the defending champions, Sundowns could be forgiven for being bullish on their chances to win the knockout competition again this year, but co-head coach Manqoba Mngqithi insists neither of the remaining teams should be underestimated.
"We think our team is capable of defending our trophy, and we will give it our best shot with all the respect that is necessary. Of course, we could never take anyone for granted in this competition, more especially [because] this season everybody is really, really working very hard to show that they are prepared, so we will give it our best shot," said Mngqithi.
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Sundowns have already shown glimpses of their quality and depth with the 2-0 beating of SuperSport United to send Amatsatsantsa crashing out of the competition.
The remaining teams are Kaizer Chiefs who will face AmaZulu, as well as Orlando Pirates who sit on top of the DStv Premierships and have been drawn against Sundowns in the semi-finals of the MTN8.
"I think this was never going to be an easy draw for anyone, when you've got four teams that are currently doing very well you could expect anything. We could've had AmaZulu or Kaizer Chiefs and all of them are currently doing well at the moment, we just have to take whoever we get and trust in our process and trust in our team," Mngqithi added.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has also rallied his side ahead of the blockbuster fixture.
"We are very motivated to go until the end of this competition. Of course, once you're in the semi-finals you cannot expect an easy opponent and we got a very good one, and we will be ready," he said.