Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says his side is already preparing for the next Caf Champions League later this year.

The Brazilians were eliminated in the group stages of the competitions after finishing third in Group C with five points.

Mosimane says his side are using their exploits in the Absa Premiership as preparations for the African continental tournament, which is scheduled to kick off in December.

‘We are trying to prepare this team for the Champions League later this year,’ Mosimane told his club’s official website.

‘It’s very difficult and that’s why I tell Sundowns’ supporters that they must be a little bit patient with us because we have a new line of four people upfront who are new.

‘We’ll get there, slowly. We are preparing for the Champions League but we have to use the league to prepare for the Champions League because you know what’s key for us – it’s the Champions League. We want to represent South Africa for a sixth year in a row because we can’t let the country down.’

He continued: ‘National agenda is important for us. We will play the top eight again next year, just like the Nedbank Cup and the Telkom Knockout. So you don’t have to worry much about those ones. You must worry about the big ones, the grand slams. There are tournaments and there are grand slams. We want the grand slams.’

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix