Coach Mokwena targets 10 points as 'Downs look to navigate their way to Champions League knockouts

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena says the target is 10 points as they aim to make it out of the CAF Champions League group stages this season. 

The Brazilians made a positive start to their campaign, beating Al-Hilal of Sudan in a hard fought 1-0 win at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday afternoon, courtesy of a Cassius Mailula first-half goal.

Mokwena was delighted with the result and admitted that he and his charges have set a 10-point target in the group stage as they look to win the competition for the first time since 2016.

"First is to get three points, then the target is to move as close as possible to 10 (points)," Mokwena told reporters after the match.

"History tells you the lowest number of points to come out of a group stage is four, but we want to try and get as close as possible to 10 points because that guarantees you more or less a position in the knock-outs.

"Three points regardless of the scoreline is important and a clean sheet," Mokwena said of Saturday's match.

"It could have been more, but I think we scored a very good second goal, unfortunately it was judged off-side but in certain moments we were very good.

"We played the game and we were comfortable and even though we had a few jitters in certain moments, like a few misplaced passes, I thought today the boys were very good and applied themselves very well." 

With Sundowns looking set to win another league title, the Champions League brings on different challenges and opponents of higher quality than in the PSL.

Mokwena was quizzed on whether he emphasised the importance of Al-Hilal to his players. However, he denied these claims and insisted that there was no special preparation in place.

"No, preparation was normal. What happens is we look