In the quest for CAF Champions League success, Mamelodi Sundowns find themselves on a journey akin to that of Manchester City under Pep Guardiola in their pursuit of UEFA Champions League glory.
Coach Pitso Mosimane, who steered Sundowns to their first CAF Champions League triumph in 2016, believes the club’s fortunes mirror those of Guardiola’s City before their recent European success.
Last season, Sundowns looked poised to clinch their second CAF Champions League title, especially after a resounding 5-2 home victory against Al Ahly in the group stages. However, Rulani Mokwena’s squad was stunned by Wydad Athletic Club, who advanced on away goals, marking Sundowns’ exit from the competition without a single defeat.
Mosimane, though, remains optimistic about Sundowns’ future and likens their journey to that of Guardiola’s Manchester City. He commented on AD Sports TV, “They will get it right. Mamelodi Sundowns is exactly behaving like Manchester City with Pep Guardiola.” Guardiola had to wait five or six years before securing the UEFA Champions League trophy. “Keep coming semi-final, final, semi-final, final… So you have to be patient.”
Sundowns’ patience paid off during Mosimane’s tenure, as they allowed him two and a half years to secure the Champions League title. He reiterated, “Now the coaches at Mamelodi Sundowns, the coach and the assistant coach, were my assistant coaches. There is that mentality of the English culture; they kept them, and they are winning the trophies, and they are the best.”
Mosimane assessed the current CAF Champions League landscape, placing Al Ahly, Wydad, and Mamelodi Sundowns at the forefront. He acknowledged the strength of other teams but stressed the prominence of these three. “Raja was powerful before, now they are not yet there. So these three teams should be winning the Champions League. So Mamelodi Sundowns is behaving like Manchester City.”
He remains optimistic about Sundowns’ chances, even in the face of formidable opposition like Al Ahly. “I believe they will win it, but how do you win it when you have Al Ahly that has got so much experience? Al Ahly knows how to win the Champions League.”
Mosimane is confident that Sundowns will ultimately achieve their Champions League dream, just as Manchester City did. The path to glory may be challenging, but their resilience and ambition will drive them toward success.