Following a goalless draw against Wydad Athletic Club at Stade Mohamed V in the CAF Champions League semi-final first leg on Saturday night, Mamelodi Sundowns deserves to be praised for their brilliant effort and bringing some respectability to the country.
Well, it was against all odds because Sundowns played with 10-men for the majority of the game after Neo Maema was sent of in the 42nd minute. But Sundowns were never threatened, in fact they were a threat.
Coach Rulani Mokwena I must admit, watching Sundowns play so impressively and without fear, I never thought I would watch a team from South Africa play this well in CAF club competition anytime soon.
But you have made it possible to see Sundowns play football that is pleasing on the eye and impressively, it is done by a South African coach. You have drilled this Sundowns team to be a difficult side to break down.
When Maema was sent off in the 42nd minute, which in my opinion was a clear red card because he was late and he landed his left foot on the opposition’s stomach, I thought your plan would go wrong.
I thought Mr Mokwena was going to take someone off since Maema has been outstanding this season, playing in the attacking role. But you kept it calm and Sundowns still controlled the game for large parts, even with one man down.
Maema is the best in playing in the pocket of spaces, and Peter Shalulile has been a beneficiary of that.
But the point here to coach Mokwena, it is just a joy to watch your Mamelodi Sundowns play this well this season.
Clearly those who saw that Mokwena was ready for this humongous job in October last year after the club were not impressed with a loss to Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semi-final second leg, were spot on in their decision.
You have turned this Mamelodi Sundowns to be a juggernaut, the best ever team in Africa, in my opinion of course, right now. Impressively, the majority of these players are South Africans, making it even more sweet.
South African players, especially playing against teams from North Africa in previous times, were always easily bumped aside, intimidated and ended up committing mistakes, but this Sundowns are not.
To beat Al Ahly 5-2 in the group stages to book a spot in the knockout stages with two games to spare and to crush CR Belouizdad in quarter-finals over two legs, was a stunning feat.
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With this form, I already feel Sundowns will reach the final of the Champions League and win this competition. Of course, you might find this unfair, but many of us won’t judge you Mr Mokwena and Sundowns for winning the league with seven games to spare, but by bringing this holy grail to South Africa.
As a country, we are going through the most and a bit of victory will surely go a long way in appeasing the societal issues that the government doesn’t seem to have an idea on how to overcome.
To the national team coach Hugo Broos – I have said it many times on social media and of course it was disapproved by others – the blueprint is there and you can take as many Sundowns players as you want as long as Bafana Bafana get the job done.
For me, you have an easy job to pick the national team squad, just build on the foundation laid by this Sundowns side. Sadly, when we judge a member association, many don’t judge it based on the success at the clubs level, but based on the national team.
I’m dying to see Bafana do well on the continent, but I personally feel coach Broos has been a bit stubborn with his selections.
To Sundowns and Mokwena, yes, it was sixth attempt and the club has again not defeated Wydad at the cauldron – the Stade Mohamed V in Morocco, but I have no doubt in my mind that you can impressively crush this North African club in the second leg at Loftus Stadium on Saturday (15:00).
I wish you and the team good luck.
Story by Robin-Duke Madlala (@duke_robin).
