Skudu Makudubela discusses Yanga players’ mentality ahead of Sundowns clash

Yanga winger Mahlatse ‘Skudu’ Makudubela has lifted the lid on the mentality of his teammates ahead of their much-anticipated CAF Champions League clash against Mamelodi Sundowns next weekend.

Sundowns visit Young Africans in a potentially explosive first-leg quarter-final encounter at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday, 30 March 2024. 

The Tanzania champions will then visit Masandawana a week later in Pretoria for the reverse fixture. 

Makudubela, the first South African to play for Yanga, is a product of the Sundowns academy. He has opened up on how his current teammates feel about facing the inaugural African Football League champions.

WHAT IS THE MENTALITY OF YANGA PLAYERS AHEAD OF THE SUNDOWNS CLASH

“I think it’s a very good stage, everyone in Africa will be watching the quarterfinals,” the Yanga fan favourite told FARPost. “The fact that all eight teams made it this far means there is no easy team, there is no easy draw. 

“The general feeling [within the team] is that we’re here by merit. We’ve competed in the group stages and come this far.

“Yanga is here by merit because we deserve to be here, we could have drawn any team and it happens to be Mamelodi Sundowns, which is very exciting for us. We’re looking forward to being in the next hat when they make the semifinal draw.”

Interestingly, Yanga coach Miguel Gamondi is a league winner with Sundowns in 2007. The former Marumo Gallants winger further revealed the demand placed on them by ‘Master Gamondi’. 

“With Coach Gamondi, every game we play – be it a league game, be it a cup game – he always wants to win. Our coach is a winner. Gamondi is a high-level competitor. 

“He’s a very good tactician and very advanced. And he’s turned the team around. He’s also excited to play his former team. Everybody at the club is looking at this game, and we’re going to make sure we qualify for the next round.”

Makudubela, however, admits the clash won’t be a stroll in the park for the Jangwani giants. 

“We look forward to it. We know it’s not going to be an easy game. Sundowns is a very well-structured club, technically and tactically. The players they have, the history speaks because of the things they’ve achieved. But, for us, we understand that to be the best, you need to compete against the best.” 

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