South African football legend Matthew Booth believes that Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates can cope with the challenges that come with competing in local and continental competitions.
“More importantly, both squads have had recent good experiences where they have gone far in the tournament so that bodes well as well," Booth said on SABC Sport.
Sundowns and Pirates, who are both competing in the Caf Champions League, are also involved in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) title race.
"If you were like a (Kaizer) Chiefs or (Bidvest) Wits going there for the first or second time you know, I wouldn’t say the same thing because as a squad you do need that experience over two or three years before you can progress," he continued.
Sundowns, who are currently placed second on the league standings, were not in action in the PSL last weekend which saw third-placed Pirates drop points when they drew 1-1 with Chiefs in the Soweto Derby.
Current log leaders, Wits also dropped points as they suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat to Highlands Park at the Makhulong Stadium and Booth feels that this made Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane the happiest man.
“I think everybody obviously was talking about the Derby, but I think the result that stood for me was the Highlands-Wits result. I think Wits had to get a win. I think the happiest person over the weekend was definitely Pitso and his team," he continued.
The Lions of North have performed well against top teams this season having held Pirates, Chiefs and SuperSport United at home in Tembisa.
"I think Highlands must be given credit. I think a lot of people don’t give them enough credit from a tactical point of view and they just talk about hard work, but they are more than that," he concluded.