Sundowns deserve all the success
On Mamelodi Sundowns reaching the second semifinals
Mamelodi Sundowns have reached the semifinals of the CAF Champions League after beating Young Africans last weekend. Their success in this competition over the years show that they are taking it seriously. I think Sundows are at a point now where the CAF Champions League is a priority because you can see how they are approaching every game. Every season they are trying to at least reach the final or win it. In the domestic league, they always start well and that allows them to focus on the CAF Champions League at a later stage. They always make sure that they win 95 percent of their first 15 league matches, so that they can get the league title in the bag and fully concentrate on the Champions League. I’m also sure that they are also thinking about next year’s FIFA Club World Cup. This is the perfect opportunity for players who will play league and Nedbank Cup matches, they have to show the coaches what they can do so that they can also get a chance to play in the CAF Champions League. Obviously, the domestic league is still important because if Sundowns doesn’t win the league or finish in second place, they won’t qualify for the Champions League next season. There is 100 percent support from the team management. These days Sundowns can buy players from Al Ahly or Esperance if they want to, and you can see with the dominance of the South American players in their team that they want quality. The planning, scouting, and results – everything is falling into place for Mamelodi Sundowns. The momentum is with them for now.
On Sundowns winning on penalties against Young Africans
Based on what I saw from the match against Young Africans, Sundowns should be happy that they have Ronwen Williams as their goalkeeper. We can all see that Ronwen is on top of his game. I think we must also give credit to SuperSport United for developing and entrusting him with a big responsibility while he was still a youngster. SuperSport United are the ones who developed Ronwen and made him their number one choice and played him on a regular basis even though he was still young. The goalkeeper coaches that worked with him, played a big role in helping him become the goalkeeper that he is today. Ronwen is very matured now; he delivers in every game that he plays. His defence is also playing a big role in protecting him. When I was playing for Kaizer Chiefs, we used to tell ourselves that we must protect Brian Baloyi and Ronwen Fernandez at all costs. If a goalkeeper pulls out a top save, defenders must say: ‘Well done but next time we won’t put you in a position where you have to make another save’. Ronwen is commanding his penalty area very well, and you could see him this weekend that him and his defenders were fighting to keep that clean sheet. They also understand that it’s not about talking nice to each other. Ronwen will continue to break records and I’m sure that he made the right move by joining Sundowns. I would still love to see him playing in Europe even though it won’t be easy. He showed at the Africa Cup of Nations that he can play against the best and be consistent and now he can take us to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The guy has great leadership skills and with guys like Denis Onyango and Wendel Robinson working with him, he will improve his game and become even a better goalkeeper. Right now Sundowns are so confident because they knew against Young Africans if Ronwen can make a save or two, then that is good enough to win the match. That is the confidence they had this past weekend against Yanga. I remember when I played against Manchester United for Kaizer Chiefs in the Vodacom Challenge – I missed one penalty and hit an upright. Rowen Fernandez came up to me and said: ‘Don’t worry Fabs, I will save at least one penalty’. That is what you need from a goalkeeper as an outfield player. This is all about the spirit, trust, belief and camaraderie and Sundowns have all those qualities.
On playing in the 2001 CAF Champions League Final against Al Ahly
In 2001 I was in the Sundowns team that reached the CAF Champions League Final and lost to Al Ahly. We drew 1-1 at Loftus Stadium and lost 3-0 in Egypt and I also conceded a penalty. I joined Sundowns after they had won the league, and we had the best players from the African continent. We had Ronnie Kanelelo from Namibia, Muisi Ajao from Nigeria, Roger Feutmba and Alain Amougou from Cameroon, Gift Kampamba from Zambia and Raphael Chukwu from Nigeria. That was the spine of the team – the team spirit made us believe that we can reach the final. We went through difficulties of course. When we played against TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi, the lifts were not working at the hotel we were staying in, and we played the match on the field that looked like a gravel with small patches of grass. But the fighting spirit we had was unbelievable. Ajao was diving, Lovers Mohlala and Themba Mnguni were sliding all over the place. Before that match we trained on a small field next to the road and we only trained at the stadium the day before the match. And you must remember that at that time teams used to put you wherever they wanted to put you, they gave you whatever transport they wanted to give you. And we couldn’t complain. But that experience made us stronger. In those years we used to travel to France if we were playing in Tunisia. But now Sundowns can easily charter a flight and check in Five Star Hotel. When we reached the Final in Egypt (against Al Ahly), they took our cellphones, cameras and made it so miserable. I conceded a penalty even though I was outside the box and from there the crowd was on our case. I think the previous Sundowns management shared that experience and ideas with this current Sundowns management of the Motsepes. So, I’m not surprised that the team is where it is today and always competing for the highest accolades. They go through the tournament like it’s a normal league because they are well prepared. The team is doing well now because logistics are taken care of and for this is not a surprise, Sundowns deserve all the success they have.
On the possibility of Sundowns reaching the FIFA Club World Cup
If they beat Esperance in the semifinals they will qualify for the FIFA World Cup and that will be a great thing for the country.
Look at what Bafana Bafana did at the 2023 Afcon and now if Sundowns, reaches the FIFA Club World Cup, they will put us in the eyes of the world. Players must not go there thinking about how this tournament is going to benefit them as individuals. They must first think about the country and then the club, Mamelodi Sundowns. They need to fly the country’s flag at the tournament. They have an opportunity to play against top teams and players from around the world and that itself is a motivation. Everything is possible, they can do it and it will be a great experience for those who will be competing. I’m just hoping that they can beat Esperance to achieve that.