Legendary Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana does not believe their Nedbank Cup semifinal defeat against Kaizer Chiefs will derail the Brazilians in any manner for their Caf Champions League semifinal against Al Ahly.

Downs and Orlando Pirates compete, for the first time, as two SA clubs in the semis of Africa’s premier interclub competition, starting with their first legs on Saturday.

Sundowns face record 12-time champions Al Ahly at Loftus Versfeld in the earlier first leg match, while Pirates host another Egyptian side, Pyramids FC, at FNB Stadium in the evening.

Kekana, captain of Downs in one of their most successful periods as then coach Pitso Mosimane turned them into trophy machines from the mid-2010s, was speaking on Sundowns’ Pitchside Podcast with former midfield partner Tiyani Mabunda.

Kekana and Mabunda formed the central pairing when Sundowns lifted the 2016 Champions League trophy, beating Zamalek in the final.

With the scores at 1-1 on Sunday, Ashley du Preez scored a last-gasp, 89th-minute winner from what TV refereeing pundits have agreed was an offside position .

Kekana felt on balance of play, Sundowns were unfortunate to lose the semifinal.

“I watched that match twice and believe if we played it 10 times at Loftus, I don’t think that team was going to win against us.

“I thought in some moments we were the better team — but it brought me some memories that in football you win with goals.

“It was a match I believe Sundowns could have won easily.”

Mabunda agreed Downs were partly responsible for their own demise by lacking their normal killer instinct.

“You have to score goals to win the match and I believe we could have won the game but made it difficult for ourselves by allowing it to drag longer and longer without capitalising on the chances we created, especially in the first half,” he said.