Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mnqithi insists that while some people think the club sign players to show off, it is done to bridge the gap between the North African giants who make Downs “look like underdogs”.

The Brazilians lifted the Caf Champions League in 2016 and since then have been on a mission to reach the summit of African club football once again.

While they have dominated the Premier Soccer League over the past five years, they have failed to clinch the ultimate prize.

Thus they continue to strengthen as they signed Teboho Mokoena, Bradley Ralani and South American player Erwin Saavedra in the recently concluded transfer window.

Speaking at the media launch for the Nedbank Cup, Mngqithi revealed that he wants Sundowns to be at the same level as Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca and Zamalek.

“What many people fail to understand is that when we reinforce the team, it is not because we are looking in the PSL,” Mngqithi explained.

“We are looking at our competitors and we are still far behind them in terms of the market value of the players that we bring in.

“We are competing with Al Ahly, Wydad and Zamalek and all these teams, in terms of their value and what they bring into the game, make us look like underdogs.

“We have to fight in that space and make sure that we take ourselves to a level that we all believe Sundowns are capable of.”

The 50-year-old emphasised that they are not trying to show off every time they make a big signing.

“At times, people think when we sign players for a show-off,” he said.

“We are trying to prepare a team that we think based on the challenges that we have seen in the Champions League, we have a bigger responsibility to make sure that we have a team that can compete and represent the country in the bigger scale of things.”

Mngqithi also spoke about the future of Gaston Sirino, who has found game time hard to come by this season and could be further pushed out by new signings.

“The club doesn’t have a problem letting anyone go, he is a very important player. He is a very good player and he is showing all the signs that he wants to get back and play now. I believe he is going to come back stronger.”