Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has responded to South African football legend Jomo Sono after he showered him with praise for reaching the Caf Champions League group stages.

Sono recently praised the Sundowns’ mentor after the Brazilians qualified for the Champions League group stages for the ninth consecutive season.

The Tshwane giants advanced in the competition after they defeated Bumamuru 2-0 in the preliminary stage second-leg match at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday, claiming a comfortable 6-0 aggregate win over the two-legged fixture.

Mokwena responded with humility after he was praised by his uncle for what he has achieved at the club since taking over the helm.

“His [Sono’s] success is enough weight on my shoulders already, so part of what we try to do as individuals who belong to a group is to try to get ourselves to a level where the family can be proud,” Mokwena told his club’s official website.

“He knows I don’t only see him as an uncle and father, but also as an inspiration. Everything he has done, from his playing days to his coaching career – coaching Bafana Bafana, coaching at the World Cup and winning many trophies as a coach.

“Hearing such words, even though there are words I get to hear in private, from a legend like him, humbles me. Like they say, you only get to see further because you stand on the shoulders of giants.

“I can only become better by continuing to stand on his shoulders and appreciating the strength and hard work he has put in to blaze the trail for us as his kids,” he concluded.

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