Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates poster boy Teko Modise has expressed his confidence in Masandawana to reach the CAF Champions League final, and insisted they need to win the title soon to be regarded as one of the best teams in Africa.
Modise was part of the famous team that won the CAF Champions League under Pitso Mosimane in 2016.
He believes Rulani Mokwena’s generation have proven they can overcome difficult situations and will rise to the occasion on Friday evening.
“I’m very confident because they have, I think one of the most talented squads,” he told iDiski Times exclusively.
“And by saying that is I’ve seen them, I’ve seen them under pressure, I’ve seen them performing well under pressure. And then I’ve seen them consistently perform without any complaints and I strongly believe that it’s a matter of when [they’ll win CAFCL], and I think this is their time as well.
“Also, if we look at the way they lost in the semi-final last year, via an own goal, it’s not like they were outplayed. It’s one of those… maybe players themselves, they need to remember how good they are.
“But of course, it is a big game. I strongly believe, if they start well, I strongly believe that they will go through to the final.”
Modise, though, also insisted that for Sundowns to be regarded as the best team on the continent, they need to add another CAFCL trophy because the likes of Al Ahly (11) Esperance (4) still have that football heritage.
“I think it’s one of the best, I wouldn’t say it’s the best, I’ll say it’s one of the best because I still need to respect the Esperances, the Al Ahlys – those are the teams that are constantly at the top,” he added.
“Sundowns is also one of the top teams, if not the best this season. But I think it’s always easier to get to the top but staying there is difficult.
“Al Ahly is staying there for decades. I think Mamelodi Sundowns are on the verge of getting into those but also it’s important, that’s why the importance of winning Champions League, because then for you to be become one of the best in the continent, it’s how many Champions League, how many trophies you bring.
“And I strongly believe that Mamelodi Sundowns are capable. I mean, they also representing the country tomorrow and look at also how Bafana did at AFCON.
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“So there’s a lot of eyes that on South Africa right now, there’s a lot of good things that are happening football-wise in South Africa right now. So we just hope that it will continue.”