Mamelodi Sundowns are 90 minutes away from ending a 21-year-old wait for a South African club to win the African Champions League and Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula has wished the Brazilians good luck ahead of their last remaining hurdle.
Coach Pitso Mosimane's charges mopped the floor with visitors Zamalek when they convincingly beat the Egyptian powerhouses 3-0 in the first leg of the Champions League final at a packed Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Mbalula was one of the thousands who descended on the Atteridgeville‚ Pretoria‚ venue and he called on South Africans to unite and support Sundowns as Patrice Motsepe's club edges closer to the finishing line.
"Mamelodi Sundowns’ win (on Saturday) was not just for the football club but for South Africa‚" Mbalula.
"They flew our flag high and represented us with distinction. As a nation of patriots‚ South Africans watched and the people of the City of Tshwane attended the match in their numbers showing maximum support.
"We send our congratulatory message to the team and its coach Pitso Mosimane and pledge our full support as they head into Sunday's second leg of the African Champions League final."
Sundowns are now firmly in the driver's seat and only a spectacular implosion would deny Mosimane his maiden silverware on the continent.
Conquering the continent has always been one of Motsepe's ambitions and Mosimane is on the brink of succeeding where a succession of expensive former foreign coaches have failed.
Orlando Pirates were the last South African club to win continental football's biggest club competition and should Sundowns successfully negotiate their way past Zamelek in Egypt on Sunday‚ the long wait will be over. - TMG Digital
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