Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba believes that Mamelodi Sundowns showed real character following their triumph in the CAF Champions League finals second leg against Zamalek.

The Brazilians were crowned African champions after they defeated the White Knights 3-1 on aggregate on Sunday at Borg el Arab in Alexandria.

Mashaba says he is relieved that Absa Premiership teams are starting to take the African tournament seriously after waiting 21 years for a South African team to lift the prestigious trophy.

‘This is good for Africa, not only for South Africa,’ Mashaba said after the match.

‘The last [South African] team to win this was Orlando Pirates in 1995. We now need to keep consistency [in winning].

‘It’s high time that our clubs at home take this tournament very seriously. You will remember when Pirates won the star in 1995, in 1996 we went on to win the African Nations Cup.’

The South African mentor believes Sundowns showed real character despite falling to a 1-0 defeat in the second leg of the finals.

‘But I would like to say to Mamelodi Sundowns players, they did well and showed character. They might have lost, but it is a job well done. To Pitso Mosimane and his technical team, they did very well,’ he added.

‘The president of the team too [Patrice Motsepe], the support that he gives them … what he is doing, will never go unnoticed. You can see now that supporting this team, it’s worth it.’

Mamelodi Sundowns will have to cut their celebrations short before they take on Polokwane City in the Telkom Knockout Cup on Thursday.

The match at Lucas Moripe Stadium kicks off at 18:00.