With qualification still in doubt, Masandawana are preparing for a must-win CAF Champions League Group C encounter against MC Alger that could define their continental campaign.

Sundowns head into the final group fixture needing victory to secure a place in the knockout stages after a series of unconvincing results.

They were held to a 1-1 draw away to FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo this past weekend, a result that followed a damaging 2-1 defeat to Al Hilal, leaving their qualification hopes hanging in the balance.

Amid the growing scrutiny, senior defender Grant Kekana has acknowledged the noise surrounding the club but insists the focus remains on performances on the pitch.

"As a club, it's not that we are too big to listen to the rumours or too big to pay attention to them. We are paying attention to what we can control, which is us players on the field," Kekana was quoted by FarPost.

"So we hear the noise, there'll always be noise because we've been doing well for so long, and everyone feels like they have a chance in taking us down. Such noise is expected, but I don't think it can distract us."

As it stands, Sundowns occupy third place in Group C with six points from five matches, having recorded one win, three draws and one defeat. Failure to beat MC Alger would likely end their Champions League journey prematurely.

On the domestic front, consistency has also been elusive. Sundowns are second on the Betway Premiership log with 32 points, trailing leaders Orlando Pirates by three points, which has increased pressure on head coach Miguel Cardoso.

The Portuguese tactician has faced criticism from sections of the fanbase, with tensions spilling over when Cardoso and sporting director Flemming Berg were confronted by supporters in recent weeks.

This week, further controversy emerged when analyst Mario Masha was suspended amid allegations of leaking training information to MC Alger coach Rulani Mokwena, adding to an already unsettled atmosphere as Sundowns brace for a defining test of character and resilience.

Mamelodi Sundowns down MC Alger to qualify for Champions League knock-out stages