Former Mamelodi Sundowns centre-back Clayton Daniels has weighed in on the chaotic defending that has exposed Masandawana ahead of their high-stakes CAF Champions League final.
The Brazilians have conceded eight goals in their last three Betway Premiership games, sparking backline concerns ahead of Sunday’s CAF Champions League final, first leg against AS FAR Rabat at Loftus Versfeld. A 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs was followed by the 7-4 win over Siwelele FC, before Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat by TS Galaxy.
That has exposed Sundowns’ rearguard, with Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams carving out an unwanted run of form between the posts ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Masandawana now head into the Champions League final with what looks like a monkey on their back. Shaking off their defensive woes might prove to be tricky as they have centre-back Grant Kekana out suspended for Sunday’s game, while Keanu Cupido and Mothobi Mvala are battling fitness issues.
Coach Miguel Cardoso will have Khulimani Ndamane, Kegan Johannes and Malibongwe Khoza as options at the heart of defence. But Ndamane has come under fire in recent matches for some costly errors.
With Sundowns facing such a discouraging situation at the back, Daniels says there should not be concerns.
WHY DANIELS BRUSHES OFF FEAR OF SUNDOWNS’ POOR DEFENDING
“You know, if you were going to play a league game and there were more games left, you would be worried. But now it’s just the Champions League final left, and you have time to make changes and correct everything at the back,” Daniels told FARPost. “I don’t think there is anything to be worried about. These are just two big games, and naturally, the attention and effort put in would be different from other games. So, no concerns at all.
“I know Sundowns players will rise to the occasion as usual and show their qualities. Yes, conceding those goals is not good for confidence, but they will rise. You will not even tell that they were struggling at the back. When you play these games, you go with experience. You go with guys in form. I would put a guy like Grant Kekana [suspended] in central defence.
“He knows how to defend the box very well and is better in his build-up play. I have played with him before, and he knows how to mark.
“I’ll look for form in the other guy who makes fewer mistakes. So if Keanu is fit, I’ll give him the game. He played well at the Club World Cup, and he showed that he can handle big games.”
LEON-LED SUNDOWNS’ ATTACK: THE ULTIMATE TRUMPCARD?
While Sundowns go into Sunday’s game with a focus on fortifying their leaky defence, they appear already strong upfront. In his last seven games, striker Brayan Leon has scored as many goals, including finding the back of the net in both legs of the semi-finals against Esperance in the Champions League.
“If Iqraam [Rayners] is not scoring, then put Leon. We play to win, and you have to play the one who can score. I’ll give Leon the game, he is a player always ready to score,” added Daniels.
“There have always been good scorers at Sundowns. Iqraam scores, [Peter] Shalulile scores, but they have seen limited game time. There was Khama Billiat before, and he was scoring. You remember the CBD [Leonardo Castro, Billiat and Keagan Dolly] combination? Still, right now, Sundowns have enough in attack.
SUNDOWNS’ CHARACTER ON TEST AFTER TS GALAXY SETBACK
The Brazilians go into the Champions League final, first leg tie, fresh from Tuesday’s league defeat by TS Galaxy in the league. It is a result Cardoso would have wanted to avoid ahead of a crucial continental fixture.
The loss to TS Galaxy could prove fatal to their Betway Premiership title ambitions. Should Orlando Pirates be confirmed as PSL champions on Saturday, Sundowns would be working to banish dampened spirits while facing AS FAR.
The morale-sapping toll of surrendering the league title after eight consecutive years of relentless dominance might be difficult to stomach for Cardoso’s men.
“It [effects of defeat by TS Galaxy] can go two ways. The players disappointed losing to TS Galaxy, and it can weigh heavily on them,” Daniels went on.
“But they can use that to fuel their Champions League ambitions and say, ‘let’s go and win this for the fans, our coach and South Africa.’”
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