SOUTH Africa: Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Khama Billiat says “nothing can be bigger” than Saturday’s mega-rich CAF Super Cup clash against TP Mazembe.
The Brazilians earn their shot at the R23.45 million (US$1.8m) prize pool as CAF Champions League winners and will lock horns with reigning CAF Confederations Cup champions TP Mazembe at Loftus Versfeld this weekend.
And while the winner is set to pocket over R13 million (US$1m) Sundowns maestro Billiat feels above the payday, the match provides the PSL giants the chance to show exactly what they’re made of.
“This is going to be a big game. Nothing can be bigger, at least at continental level,” said Billiat on his club’s official website.
“Games like this are the only way you can measure how big or good you are.”
Billiat went on to reveal the Chloorkop outfit started planning for this weekend’s encounter almost immediately after winning the CAF Champions League, but still expects a tense encounter against their DR Congo opponents.
He said: “Once we had won the CAF Champions League, we knew we had to do planning for the Super Cup. We know what is coming. They know us and we know them.”
Asked about the pressure of playing in such a match, the Zimbabwean said: “We are always under pressure. We need to deliver for ourselves, for the fans, for the President, and for our families.
“Pressure is part of our life. Games like this build character, and ideally every game we play should be at this level and intensity. That way we all grow and the game gets bigger and better as we get used to such an environment.”
“TP Mazembe are a huge team, and we will respect them. But we have to do what we do best. They have achieved a lot, but that does not mean they will be better than us. We know they are not an easy team to beat, but it will all come down to who is hungrier, and I know that we are hungry enough,” he adds.Advertisement