CAF Champions League

Kekana believes Sundowns will also dominate on the continent after local success

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Thabiso Kutumela of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates goal with teammates during the 2022 Nedbank Cup quarter final match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Mathaithai at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria on 08 March 2022 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana says his old club are well placed to go on to win the Caf Champions League after dominating all competition locally.

Kekana was central to the side that won the prestigious competition in 2016 under Pitso Mosimane.

The Brazilians have created a winning culture at the club in its wake as they look set to win their fifth league title in a row, while also looking on course for another domestic treble after winning the MTN8 earlier in the season and sealing their progression to the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.

However, to win the Champions League, Downs will have to overturn the quarter-final first-leg deficit after a 2-1 defeat by Petro de Luanda.

Ahead of the second leg at FNB Stadium on Saturday, Kekana praised the mentality of his former side and backed them to go on and dominate on the continent.

“They have the personality to do that, you know in the continent the character is required to win the title and I believe they got that,” Kekane told media during the Carling Black Label Gold celebrations at Chillas Lounge in Tsakane at the weekend, as reported by the Sowetan.

“They have lost three matches now [in all competitions] and, for me, that’s a characteristic of a champion and I believe if they continue winning these matches here they will also dominate in the continent.

“I think the club has assembled the players based on the character which suits the team. It has worked well for the club and I believe with the current team they are having, it is just to continue with the same generation,” he said.

“It’s so nice to see the new players coming into the team continuing with the same performances. It’s a culture we created at Sundowns and it is something that they want as a team that has brought so many trophies at this club.

“It is a legacy that every player who comes to Sundowns wants to improve, and I was excited to see Peter Shalulile come and do what he has done for the team, and the new players have the hunger to improve what the previous generation has achieved.

“This is something the club should be proud of because every player wants to contribute to the success of the team. I can only say I’m proud of the team. I hope they deliver the second star.”