Mamelodi Sundowns' Chilean midfielder Marcelo Allende has been surprised by the level of competition in the CAF Champions League.

Allende, who joined Masandawana at the beginning of the season, has made 25 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals with one assist. The 23-year-old had spent three seasons at Montevideo City in Uruguay before joining Sundowns. 

But having experienced the Champions League competition with Sundowns for the first time, Allende said this is not what he expected. 

"Actually, to be honest, the level of the Champions League surprised me. The level is very high and competitive and I didn't expect it to be like this," Allende explained yesterday.

"With regards to travelling, you went to places you never thought you would go and the countries you face with different food that you have never been exposed to.

"The climate conditions that you have to adapt to and different types of pitches also that are different from what you are used to.

"But being with the team and being able to adapt and still perform and win games is incredible. The group we had was a difficult one with the toughest opponents, so we had to win all the games. So, it was tough, to be honest."

Sundowns are to face Coton Sport of Cameroon on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in their final group match (9pm) having qualified for the knockout stage.

"We know this game will be difficult and we have prepared well for it as we prepare every game that we play to win it," he said.

"The approach that the club has to win every game that we play develops the players in that way, so I'm happy to be here with the team because everything we do is about winning.

"So, every footballer wants to be in that space to train to win and play to win."