Mamelodi Sundowns defender Khuliso Mudau says after the bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations with Bafana Bafana, he’s made it a mission to win the CAF Champions League.
Since joining Sundowns from Black Leopards in 2020, Mudau has emerged as one of the leading defenders in African football.
Plaudits have poured in for his incredible displays for club and country and one of the most heartwarming scenes of his career to date, was seeing him in tears with his parents after winning the African Football League last season.
“I was very emotional that day [crying after winning the AFL] even if you can check the video, it’s saying a lot, I promised my family I would win the AFL – so by God’s grace we won it,” Mudau said.
“It was… to win something like the AFL, or Champions League it means a lot, not many people… okay many people play at these stages but don’t manage to win these kind of cups, so it means a lot to me as a player. It was a great feeling and I was very emotional.”
Mudau went on to discuss why this current competition, that’s eluded the club since 2016 will mean – and why it’s become their priority target.
“Obviously we wanted to win the cup [the AFL], so I think every player was ready mentally to give a fight, even when we played away against Al Ahly,” Mudau said about overcoming the hurdle of a continental trophy as a group.
“Wydad… everyone was ready for the fight and I think everyone gave there all, we promised ourselves as players and coaches, we want to win the AFL, the first cup, it was very important to us, like the Champions League.
“It’s very important for us to win the Champions League – imagine we won it, how great would it be? It was great to get a bronze medal with Bafana and then I don’t win the Champions League? It won’t make sense.
“It’s very important for me to win the Champions League. Everyone is ready for tomorrow’s game and to give a fight, I just hope and think, that everything goes well tomorrow.”