Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana says the difference between the club and the being at the very top is efficiency and picked out Borussia Dortmund as their hardest fixture.
Kekana, 32, formed a defensive partnership with Keanu Cupido in the heart of the defence, starting all three group stage games as Sundowns narrowly missed out on a place in the round of 16, by one point of Brazilian side Fluminense.
The running narrative within the team upon their exit at the global event, is pride, having shown they can compete, after beating K-League giants Ulsan HD 1-0, losing 4-3 to Borussia Dortmund and then falling short in the final Group F game with a goalless draw to the Brazilian Serie A side.
“I think it was a good learning experience for us, it’s a tournament that showed us we are capable, we have the talent to compete, which we surely did compete, I think with all the games played we weren’t humiliated or dominated, we just ran out of time,” Kekana said.
“I think it terms of quality, Dortmund was the hardest one, a lot of good movements off the ball, very good and they are very clinical in front of goal. It’s a game of small margins you know – the difference between us and being at the top is efficiency.”
Sundowns have now returned to South Africa for a two-week break before returning for pre-season for the 2025/26 season.
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