Mamelodi Sundowns winger Tashreeq Matthews has called on his teammates to respond positively to their disappointing CAF Champions League exit when they face Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Cup Round of 16. The Brazilians enter the domestic cup fixture under pressure after suffering an unexpected setback in continental competition, leaving the club searching for a way to restore confidence and regain momentum. Matthews believes the best response is to return to winning ways and focus on the trophies that remain available this season. The encounter at Loftus Versfeld Stadium presents Sundowns with an opportunity to put their disappointment behind them and demonstrate their determination to compete for domestic honours. However, Gallants will be equally motivated to secure a place in the quarter-finals and prove that they can challenge one of South African football’s most successful teams.

Sundowns’ elimination from the CAF Champions League has created a difficult moment for a club accustomed to competing for major honours on the African continent. Their campaign ended following a 1-1 draw against Angola’s Wiliete SC, with the result leaving them eliminated on the away-goals rule. The setback was particularly painful because Sundowns had entered the competition with ambitions of progressing deep into the tournament and challenging for the continental title. Their failure to reach the group stage for the first time in more than a decade, as described in the match coverage, represented a significant disappointment for the club and its supporters. For a team with such high expectations, the result raised questions about how quickly the players could recover mentally and redirect their attention towards other competitions. Matthews recognises that the disappointment cannot simply be ignored, but he believes the squad must find a way to move forward.

The winger has stressed that the upcoming Carling Knockout Cup match provides an important opportunity for Sundowns to regain their confidence. Speaking to the club’s media department, Matthews explained that the team must focus on the next challenge rather than remain consumed by the disappointment of their continental exit. “That’s what we have to look forward to, I think the next one is a very important one. We’ve to overcome it and get back to winning ways and get over this feeling, win again and continue from there,” he said. His comments reflect the importance of securing a positive result after a setback that has affected the mood around the club. A victory against Marumo Gallants would give Sundowns a chance to rebuild momentum and approach their remaining fixtures with renewed confidence. Matthews also acknowledged that winning again could help the players feel better about the situation, although a single result would not erase the disappointment of their Champions League campaign.

Recovering from a major defeat or elimination requires more than technical ability, particularly for a team expected to win consistently. Players must process disappointment, identify areas that need improvement and maintain their focus on upcoming matches. Matthews understands that professional footballers cannot afford to dwell on setbacks for too long because the fixture schedule leaves limited time for reflection. Sundowns still have important domestic objectives to pursue, and their ability to respond under pressure could shape the remainder of their season. The winger’s message is therefore centred on taking responsibility, learning from the experience and producing a stronger performance in the next match. For the coaching staff, the challenge will be ensuring that the players turn their frustration into greater concentration and determination rather than allowing it to affect their decision-making on the pitch.

Despite their continental disappointment, Sundowns still have several opportunities to compete for silverware. The Betway Premiership remains an important priority, while the Carling Knockout Cup and Nedbank Cup offer further opportunities to win domestic trophies. The club also has international commitments to consider, including the FIFA Intercontinental Cup mentioned in the team’s broader schedule. Matthews has emphasised that the Champions League, although a major ambition, is not the only competition that matters to the squad. “It is difficult to get over what happened, but at the end of the day, you have to take the step forward because you have to continue,” he explained. He added that there were still more trophies to pursue, making it important for the team to maintain its ambition throughout the campaign.

The Carling Knockout Cup now offers Sundowns an immediate chance to demonstrate that their season can still produce meaningful achievements. Cup competitions demand concentration because a single match can determine whether a team progresses or faces elimination. This creates a different kind of pressure from the league, where clubs have more opportunities to recover from dropped points. Sundowns will need to approach the contest against Gallants with urgency while avoiding the mistakes that could allow their opponents to take control. Their technical quality and experience in major domestic competitions could prove valuable, but those advantages will count for little without an effective performance. Matthews and his teammates must combine attacking creativity with defensive discipline if they hope to progress to the quarter-finals. A convincing display would also provide a timely boost to supporters who expect the club to compete for trophies on multiple fronts.

Marumo Gallants, however, are not approaching the match as though Sundowns have already secured their place in the next round. Coach Ronnie Kanalelo has made it clear that his players believe they can compete with the defending league champions. Gallants have previously demonstrated their ability to trouble Sundowns in knockout football, including a run in the Carling Knockout Cup that saw them eliminate the Brazilians before eventually reaching the final last season. That experience could provide the team with confidence as they prepare for another meeting between the sides. Kanalelo’s approach is based on the belief that Sundowns can be beaten if his players remain committed and execute their game plan effectively. His comments also make clear that Gallants intend to fight for qualification rather than allow their opponents to dictate the occasion through reputation alone.

Kanalelo has publicly rejected the idea that the outcome is inevitable, insisting that his team must work for any advantage it gains. “What we are saying is that Sundowns are beatable, and as long as they are beatable it has happened before in the past in this competition,” he said. He also made it clear that Gallants would not hand their opponents victory without a fight. His remarks underline the confidence within the Gallants camp and reinforce the competitive nature of the Carling Knockout Cup. Facing Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld will present a demanding challenge, but the team’s previous cup experience could help it remain composed under pressure. If Gallants defend effectively and take advantage of their attacking opportunities, they could make the contest uncomfortable for the Brazilians and increase their chances of reaching the quarter-finals.

The tactical battle between the two teams could prove decisive in determining who advances. Sundowns are expected to seek control of possession and use their attacking players to create opportunities, while Gallants may look to remain organised and exploit spaces when they regain the ball. For Matthews, the challenge will be to contribute to Sundowns’ attacking play while helping the team maintain the discipline needed to avoid conceding unnecessary chances. His ability to carry the ball, create openings and support forward movement could become important if Gallants adopt a compact defensive approach. At the same time, Sundowns must remain alert to counterattacks and avoid allowing frustration to influence their decisions if the match becomes difficult. The team that manages the pressure more effectively could gain a crucial advantage in a fixture where progression is the immediate objective.

The atmosphere surrounding the match is likely to reflect the contrasting motivations of both clubs. Sundowns are looking to recover from a painful continental setback and prove that they remain capable of delivering success in their remaining competitions. Gallants, meanwhile, have an opportunity to eliminate a major rival and strengthen their reputation as a team capable of producing cup upsets. Matthews’ call to return to winning ways highlights the importance of the fixture for Sundowns’ confidence and ambitions. Kanalelo’s defiant comments show that Gallants intend to challenge them rather than focus on the disappointment surrounding their opponents. Both teams have clear reasons to approach the contest with determination, making the Round of 16 encounter an important test of their mentality and execution.

For Mamelodi Sundowns, the immediate priority is to turn disappointment into a positive response against Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Cup. Matthews has acknowledged the difficulty of recovering from their CAF Champions League elimination, but his message is clear: the team must learn from the setback and continue competing for the trophies still within reach. The Brazilians will need to show composure, concentration and attacking quality if they are to advance in the competition. Gallants, backed by their coach’s belief and previous success against Sundowns in cup football, will be determined to make the match as challenging as possible. Ultimately, the result will depend on the performances delivered on the pitch rather than the reputations of the two clubs. A victory would give Sundowns a valuable opportunity to rebuild confidence, while Gallants could strengthen their own campaign by producing another memorable cup result.