Bafana Bafana defender Lyle Lakay has opened up on Mamelodi Sundowns’ historic achievement in the CAF Champions League this season and how it benefits the country.
Lakay was part of the Sundowns squad that just secured a double in Group A over reigning African champions Al Ahly, led by three-time champion Pitso Mosimane.
“That’s the one of those big that was a big achievement for us. I don’t know, I don’t know, he knows the team is Al Ahly home in a way and playing in the Champions League,” Lakay told the club’s media department.
“You get to experience because you’re playing and the continent you’re playing. Al Ahly has about seven or eight players in the national team that played recently in the AFCON final team.”
Lakay feels playing football at the elite level and Africa prepares them mentally for the challenges and rigours of international football and he’s personally looking forward to the prospect of the world champions in Lille.
“Obviously, you have the experience of playing on the continent, which you can take into the national team also. When going to the national team and obviously we playing against European opposition in France, which will also help us.
“It’s not the same people that you play against on the continent. But to help you also in terms of the experience.
“So yeah, I think it will be the camp itself will be it will be a good experience, not only for me for all of us because of the competition.
“The team that we’re playing against, they play at the highest level. So yeah, I’m looking forward to it and I’m sure the players also looking forward to it.”
South Africa face Guinea on Friday before the world champions four days later in Lille when the national team is currently based.
