Last year, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane raised eyebrows when he described the MTN8 as just another pre-season tournament, belittling the lucrative competition a few days before his side were knocked out by Platinum Stars.

Mosimane chose his words carefully yesterday, all but confirming that the Brazilians were now determined to unseat champions Kaizer Chiefs and claim the R8-million prize money.

Mosimane wants to quickly send a message to the opposition when Downs host Bloemfontein Celtic tomorrow (7.30pm) in the Top 8 quarterfinal clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria.

"I think it is one tournament we haven't done well in over the last three years," the coach said.

"The first year I got here we didn't finish in the Top 8, and last year Platinum Stars took us out early. This year we will try and give it a good run," he promised.

Mosimane still seems to hold the view that the Top 8 competition doesn't quite match up to the business proper - the Absa Premiership - which kicks off this weekend and will see Sundowns travel to the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in North West to face Dikwena on Saturday.

"Yes, maybe this competition comes a bit early. But I would not like to make that excuse because it is the same for everyone. We would like to win it, why not? We have done well in our pre-season games," Mosimane said.

He dismissed the encounter against Celtic as a grudge match following a 5-0 hammering handed to them by Clinton Larsen's men in a league game in April.

"People forget that we also beat some teams with high margins.

"I understand why it comes up. That game dented our title [hopes] of course," Mosimane said.

"[But] we should be fair when we tell these stories from last season and talk about the entire season, not just a single game."