Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac has voiced his confidence ahead of his side’s FIFA Club World Cup clash against Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Bundesliga giants will face Masandawana in their second Group F fixture at the TQL Stadium on Saturday evening. The match is set for 18h00.
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Dortmund opened their tournament campaign with a goalless draw against Brazilian side Fluminense, while the South African champions edged past Ulsan HD 1-0, courtesy of a goal from Iqraam Rayners.
Sundowns currently top the group with three points, while Dortmund sit second. Despite Downs' early advantage, Kovac maintains that his side and Fluminense remain favourites to advance to the round of 16.
Nevertheless, the 53-year-old coach acknowledged the threat that could be posed by the Tshwane-based outfit, insisting that Dortmund are preparing thoroughly to overcome the Miguel Cardoso-led team.
"As I said before, at the beginning of the press conference I think Fluminense and my team are for sure the favorites but in football you must play the games," Kovac told the media after his side's draw with Fluminense.
"I am sure that we are the favorites so for sure we are expecting now the next game we want to see the game against Sundowns and Ulsan, we want to watch it just to get more impression.
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"We have some impressions and we know that Sundowns played in the Champions League finals of Africa a weeks ago and it is a tough opponent," he added.
"You saw in the other games that they worked hard against other African teams, they are strong, they are powerful so for that we need to refresh our minds and be fully prepared because the next game is very important for us."
