‘suddenly you find yourself in the stands’: Ralani on Sundowns spell

Former Mamelodi Sundowns winger Bradley Ralani has opened up on the “bittersweet” stay he had at Chloorkop.

The dribbling wizard parted ways with the Tshwane giants at the end of the past DStv Premiership season after his 18-month contract ran out.

In the previous season, the 36-year-old saw little action in the Brazilians shirt as he featured in 13 games in all competitions, starting only twice. 

Meanwhile, when he joined the club from Cape Town City in the mid-2021/22 season, he made 15 appearances in the second round.

Ralani says he had pleasant and nasty moments during his spell at Sundowns. He believes he was “rolling” in his first six months. However, it all went south last season when didn’t get enough time to play.

BRADLEY RALANI SAYS HE HAD BITTERSWEET SPELL AT SUNDOWNS

“My 18 months there, I’d say it was pretty much bittersweet because of everything that happened when I was there,” Ralani said in an exclusive interview with FARPost.

“It started very well, it was a good run from when they signed me till the end of that season.

“I was a key player in the league, starting a lot of games, even starting CAF [Champions League] games. A lot of things were good, even in the Nedbank [Cup], I did well and had like three goals.

“So, all that was really a good start for me at a club like Sundowns. Knowing very well that competition is tough there. But I could manage to get there and start rolling.

“It was very good for me, and I was happy to be a league champion. Those were the sweet moments.”

Ralani says last season he had his first experience of struggling for game time having been in professional football for more than 12 seasons.

EXPERIENCING LACK OF GAME TIME FOR THE FIRST TIME

“It was tough because it felt like the wheels are pulling off,” he added.

“So, it was really tough for a player of my calibre. Finding myself in that situation because I’ve never been in such a situation in my whole career.

“That happening, it was big for me actually. It’s totally different to a point whereby you know you’re fit, you know you can play, you know what you can do and you know what you can offer the team but you’re nowhere near playing.

“And I mean it’s the first time [having this experience] in 12 seasons. It was a big one for me.”

As much as it was a relief to leave the league champions, the Kimberly-born star was still longing to prove himself in Mamelodi Sundowns colours. He didn’t want to leave the club as a failure.

‘THAT’S NOT HOW YOU WANT TO GO OUT’

“To a certain extent but also as a person, it makes you feel you have failed and that’s not really how you want to go out as a failure,” he continued.

“Even though you want to get out of the situation and find yourself where you can play. But at the same time as competitive as you are, it’s still pounding in you to say you can still prove that you can do it here.

“But eventually it happened that I got released.”

Ralani says seeing himself on the stands was an odd feeling taking into account his contributions when he had been given a run.

“Every time you’re on the pitch you give it your all. And most of the time, you did exceptionally well and then suddenly you find yourself in the stands.”

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