Mamelodi Sundowns legend Teko Modise has identified a key player for whom the team should exert every effort to ensure he lifts the CAF Champions League trophy.
Masandawana are welcoming Pyramids FC in the Champions League final first-leg on Saturday, 24 May at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. The return tie will be on Sunday, 1 June at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
Modise thinks the Tshwane giants’ disadvantage is that they are now “well-respected,” unlike when they won the trophy as underdogs in 2016. This heightened awareness from opposing teams, he suggests, makes their task slightly more difficult.
“The disadvantage that Sundowns are facing is that on the continent, they are well-respected,” Modise told FARPost. “When we won it in 2016, nobody was scared of us, so the chances are, Mamelodi Sundowns have a better squad now. They know what’s at stake, they know the importance of winning this trophy.
“You also have good quality players at Mamelodi Sundowns that also want to say, ‘I brought another star to Mamelodi Sundowns’.”
‘Dona’, as he’s affectionately known, expressed his wish for Sundowns to win the Champions League trophy as it would “cement the career” of their captain, Themba Zwane, who was also there when they lifted it in 2016.
MODISE ON SUNDOWNS STAR – ‘HE DESERVES TO WIN SUCH’
“I think it’s a big opportunity, it’s gonna be tough, it’s gonna be exhausting, it’s gonna be demanding but come end of the Champions League final, I want to see Sundowns lift the trophy to cement the career of Themba Zwane, who’s been magnificent,” Modise added.
“I think he deserves to win, such. He deserves to be on that pitch. He deserves to lift that trophy for Mamelodi Sundowns. And I know that the players are behind that.”
Meanwhile, Modise added: “Coach Miguel Cardoso, who’s been brought in to help the team get into the final, needs to be applauded. It’s a trophy that’s been eluding Mamelodi Sundowns for so many years, but I think this is the right time [to win it].”
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