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 giantsโ disadvantage is that they are now โwell-respected,โ unlike when they won the trophy as underdogs in 2016. This heightened awareness from opposing teams, he suggests, makes their task slightly more difficult.
โThe disadvantage that Sundowns are facing is that on the continent, they are well-respected,โ Modise told FARPost. โWhen we won it in 2016, nobody was scared of us, so the chances are, Mamelodi Sundowns have a better squad now. They know whatโs at stake, they know the importance of winning this trophy.
โYou also have good quality players at Mamelodi Sundowns that also want to say, โI brought another star to Mamelodi Sundownsโ.โ

โDonaโ, as heโs affectionately known, expressed his wish for Sundowns to win the Champions League trophy as it would โcement the careerโ of their captain, Themba Zwane, who was also there when they lifted it in 2016.
MODISE ON SUNDOWNS STAR – โHE DESERVES TO WIN SUCHโ
โI think itโs a big opportunity, itโs gonna be tough, itโs gonna be exhausting, itโs 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, whoโs been magnificent,โ Modise added.
โI 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: ย โCoach Miguel Cardoso, whoโs been brought in to help the team get into the final, needs to be applauded. Itโs a trophy thatโs been eluding Mamelodi Sundowns for so many years, but I think this is the right time [to win it].โ
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