Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has praised Asavela Mbekile and Keagan Dolly performance against Zamalek in the Caf Champions League final triumph on Sunday.

The Brazilians were crowned African champions following their 3-1 aggregate score over the White Knights in the two-legged finals.

Mashaba says he advised the Sundowns players before the match to work hard and they will be rewarded for their exploits.

‘The only thing I told them is, you will never be able to climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pocket, you have to sweat before you get to the top,’ Mashaba said.

The Bafana Bafana mentor reserved special praise for right-back Asavela Mbekile and Keagan Dolly for their performance in the second leg of the finals.

‘Mbekile at right-back did very well and Keagan was running at them. We let them off the hook, if we had kept on playing at that pace, we would have got another goal,’ he added.

Kaizer Chiefs will now turn their attention to the Telkom Knockout Cup when they take on Polokwane City on Thursday.

The match at Lucas Moripe Stadium kicks off at 19:30.