Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Thlopie Motsepe has compared the Tshwane giants’ runs in the CAF Champions League with that of Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.
Motsepe said people should not think that Sundowns all the time can steamroll teams in CAF premier’s club competition and referred to the German giants who have struggled to repeat their success from two years ago when they won the UEFA Champions League in 2020.
Sundowns were knocked out by Angolan side Petro de Luanda in quarter-finals last term, a situation many didn’t expect as the Angolan side reached their first semis of this competition since 2001.
Interestingly, when Petro reached the Champions League semis then, Sundowns knocked them out on that occasion before they lost in the final to Egyptian giants Al Ahly, with Motsepe insisting teams like Bayern go through similar spells.
“I think as Mamelodi Sundowns, for a long time, the fact that we have been consistently getting to the group stages and being there, we may have tricked ourselves into believing that it’s easy in the group stages. It’s not easy in the group stages,” said Motsepe.
“Champions League is very difficult, very demanding. And if you look at it in Europe, you look at the European Champions League, you fight big teams and the ones you are expected to win – Bayern Munich were Champions League winners a few seasons ago and last season they had the stumble.
“It is about understanding and being humble when you enter the Champions League, knowing anyone can beat anyone once you get into the knockout rounds.
“I believe that we have learnt our lessons from last season.”
Motsepe said he attended the dressing room after they lost to Petro and everyone was crushed.
“There was a lot of deflection and soul searching at that time,” added Motsepe.
“I think we have learnt some important lessons as a football club. This season we have a lot of faith and belief on what the coach can achieve and what the team in general can achieve.
“They are a very good group of young men with some senior members and players who have been there and seen it before. We have a lot of belief in them.”
After witnessing that they have tripped in Africa, Sundowns decided to shuffle things in the technical area. Rulani Mokwena was appointed as the club head coach, demoting Manqoba Mngqithi to senior role.
He swapped roles with Steve Komphela who is now first-team coach. Whether these changes will bear fruit for Sundownsw in this season’s Champions League remains to be seen.
