Mamelodi Sundowns’ Under-15s left a permanent imprint over the course of this year’s Kevin De Bruyne Cup (KDB) under coach Simon Blangwe at Drongen in Belgium.
The young Brazilians had an intense start to the two-day competition, held on June 10 and 11, 2023.
In their maiden participation in the competition as an African team, Sundowns Under-15 proved their worth and resiliency against admired European teams such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and RB Leipzig.
Coach Blangwe’s boys produced a few of the tournament’s outstanding moments of equilibrium. They qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition. They scored twice in just under two minutes to secure a 2-0 triumph over Manchester City.
However, the young Brazilians’ quarter-final fate was short-lived after suffering a 7-1 loss to the Brazilian side, Palmeiras.
While they further battled it out with KAA Gent to a 1-1 tie match, the boys lost out in the penalty shootout, which impelled their exit from the competition.
Additionally, despite their exit from the competition, the young Brazilians finished in the top eight while defending champions Barcelona emerged as the winners.
SIMON BLANGWE ON SUNDOWNS GAINING FANS
Coach Simon Blangwe was pleased with how his Sundowns troops performed. The Tshwane giants also gained additional supporters at the KDB Cup competition.
“We are immensely grateful for the vocal presence of numerous supporters at our games, who passionately stood behind us every step of the way,” said Blangwe.
“As a result, we have gained a significant number of fans through various social media platforms, expanding our reach and influence even further.
“Wherever our journey takes us, our unwavering vision at Mamelodi Sundowns remains unchanged. To represent the brand with unwavering pride and determination. It brings me great joy to witness the growing support and recognition we have garnered along the way,” added Blangwe.
Following their stellar run in the competition, the young Brazilians will return to South Africa, having showcased their skills and learned new experiences.
In addition, coach Lunga Nobela expressed his satisfaction, stating that the lessons they learned will help Sundowns grow.
“To be honest, our boys performed exceptionally well. The opportunities we gained during the tournament showcased that, from a technical and tactical perspective, we are not far off,” said Nobela.
“These games served as valuable gauges for our team, highlighting areas where we can improve.
“Finishing in a respectable eighth position among the 12 teams demonstrates the tremendous growth we have achieved. Our team will return to South Africa with a renewed perspective on the game and a determination to continue progressing.
“The experience gained at the competition has provided us with invaluable lessons and insights. That will shape the future of these boys as well as the coaches,” declared Nobela.
Story by Mashale Mpho Mabotja
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