Mamelodi Sundowns star Keagan Dolly believes Sundowns are deserved champions as they cruised to a 3-1 aggregate win over Zamalek in the CAF Champions League.

Sundowns were crowned the continental champions despite losing the second leg of the final 1-0 in Alexandria on Sunday, having done the damage at home the previous week when they struck three goals without reply.

Sundowns had a remarkable journey to the trophy after having initially been knocked out by AS Vita Club in the qualification round before being reinstated following Vita’s disqualification for fielding an illegible player.  Dolly, however, is adamant his side is worthy of the crown.

‘It was very difficult, Zamalek are a good team, we respect them,’ Dolly told SuperSport TV. ‘They have good individuals. We knew we would have to work hard.

‘With the hard work and the mentality we have had since the start of this campaign … people might say we were lucky to get into the pool phase, but now we have won it and I think we deserve it.’

Dolly was grateful to his teammates, the technical staff and the fans for making the victory possible, adding the credit should be shared.

‘It has not always been a nice journey, it has had its ups and downs, but through the grace of God we are here,’ he said.

‘Now we are going to meet the best in the game. It will be a pleasure, we always want to play with the best and it is an opportunity for us to go and enjoy football among them.’

Sundown’s victory means they will now partake in the Club World Cup next year, which could see them come up against European Champions Real Madrid.