Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane has rejected any perceptions of them just being another club adding numbers when they travel to America to participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
The Brazilians have been the benchmark when it comes to South African football, winning seven consecutive league titles and it is fair to say that they are ready to make their mark on the global stage after qualifying for the showpiece despite their underwhelming exit from the CAF Champions League last season.
They stomached the unwanted experience of being eliminated from the CAF Champions League at the semifinal stage two years in a row by Wydad Casablanca and Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
The 17-time Betway Premiership champions will be part of a quartet representing Africa at this prestigious tournament.
African Club of the 20th Century Al Ahly, Moroccan powerhouse Wydad Casablanca, and the most successful Tunisian club, nationally and internationally, Esperance Sportive de Tunis alongside Sundowns make up this exceptional quartet.
Zwane, better known as ‘Mshishi’, has declared that even though they are ready to compete and display what South African football is all about on this global platform, it will also be a learning and improving experience for Masandawana.
“We are not going there to just add numbers. We are highly motivated to go to the FIFA Club World Cup and compete, playing our brand of football against the best teams in the competition,” Zwane said.
“It’s a stage that every professional player would want to show their talent and skill and gauge their standard.
“Our experience in AFCON showed us the standard and quality of continental talent, and we adjusted well. We played against players that play club football in Europe and you could see the standard and quality of football in the tournament. We’re ready, but still growing and improving.” Zwane concluded.
Head coach Manqoba Mnqithi and his technical team prepare for a busy 2024/25 schedule as they will compete in at least six different competitions. Bafana ba Style will begin their journey with a matchup against Polokwane City in the MTN8 on Sunday, 11 August at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium at 15:00.
Written by Marc Strydom