Mamelodi Sundowns defender Thapelo Morena believes the club’s involvement in the Caf Champions League gives them an extra edge over their challengers in the Absa Premiership.

While the other South African clubs are wrapping up their pre-season programmes, Downs have already begun playing competitive football with the resumption of the Caf Champions League last week Tuesday.

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The 2016 winners currently sit at the bottom of Group C with just two points from three matches and are in desperate need of some victories in the remaining games.

The Brazilians’ next fixture will take place on Friday when they host AS Togo-Port, and Morena believes that the early return to competitive football will give them an edge over their Absa Premiership rivals.

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‘It’s good because when the league starts, we’re already in our week three when they [PSL opposition] are starting their first week,’ Morena told KickOff.

‘[CCL] is a good competition, it’s good games [to play] heading towards the league because we’ll have that momentum that we need.

‘I just want to deliver more than I did last season. I want to do my best and I’m hoping to get another gold medal,’ concluded the defender on his ambitions this season with Sundowns.

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Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix