Stade Malien embrace underdog role before Mamelodi Sundowns test

The Malian champions impressed during the group stage, finishing strongly to secure the advantage of hosting the decisive second leg at home — where they hope to seal a place in the semifinals.

Speaking through a translator at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on the eve of the match, Njoya reflected on a campaign that has already defied expectations.

"I would like to give a story about a French journalist, who called us a small team who will be giving points away, and that really motivated us to prove him wrong and look at us now after topping our group.

"We will be playing without pressure, and we've come here to collect something."

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Malien have gone through a bit of a slump in their domestic league having suffered back to back defeats in the lead up to their trip to SA. 

Njoya insists this is because opposition teams double their efforts against them. 

"In our league, we are the team to beat so every team plays defensive football against us and try to play counter attacking football against us, but we are still positive and we want to make sure that we are not only a big team in Mali but that we become a big team in Africa."

Meanwhile, both coach Njoya and striker Taddeus Nkeng said they had now fulfilled their lifelong dream to visit South Africa but it is still important to get a positive result in the first leg. 

"I'm very happy to be in South Africa because my first dream as a kid was to visit this country, and that has become a reality today. We are here to enjoy and give our best on the pitch." 

Nkeng then added that the level and difference between the PSL and the Mali Premier League will not be too much of a factor on the night.