Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango says the African champions must show discipline in hostile conditions if they are to come away with a win from their CAF Champions League encounter against AS Vita Club on Wednesday.
Both clubs failed to win on the opening day of the group phase in mid-May, with Onyango's Sundowns dropping two points at home to St George of Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo's Vita beaten away in Tunisia by Esperance.
It means victory is vital for both in Kinshasa in their second group game, and Onyango is well aware of the reception the South African side will face, telling KweséESPN: "We need to be disciplined because it's a very hostile stadium where the supporters are very hostile and the players are very aggressive."
The keeper played against Vita last year when they beat Sundowns on the away-goals rule in the last qualifying round, only for the DRC side to be disqualified for fielding an ineligible player, which allowed the South Africans backdoor entry into the group phase, from where they went on to win the title.
Onyango was focused on the present though, adding: "We just need to keep cool heads and try to get a result because at the moment we are not really in a very good position. I think we could have won at home to St George but we can still revive our group-stage campaign by getting a result in Kinshasa.
"It was disappointing to not get a result against St George but they were a well-organised team, they sat back and tried to score on the counter-attack and it was difficult for us to break them down but we'll see how it goes. We believe Vita will open up, they'll be trying to get a result."
Onyango is hoping to play on Wednesday despite being sidelined by injury for much of the year. He was voted the best Africa-based player by the Confederation of African Football for 2016.
He added of his fitness woes: "Yes, I have struggled with the injuries but at the same time I can come back strong and try to fight for the club.
"It went well last year but we've been struggling with a bit of injuries in a lot of the games we've played this year. I think I can come back strong and help the team to get the Champions League back.
"We are looking at defending our title but we first have to get through the group stages, which is challenging. Last year we were eliminated but fought back and won it, so let's see how it goes.
"The most important thing now is to get a result against Vita and come back and play Esperance [on June 2] with a positive result."