Indomitable in the domestic league, what chance Mamelodi Sundowns taking their dominance to the continent?
The Brazilians are a seemingly unstoppable juggernaut at home and look capable of adding a second star to the club crest this year. Bafana ba Style are on course to win a sixth successive DStv Premiership (PSL) title as they smash local league records.
Good reason to believe a team that has set a new 15-match win record in the PSL can also win the 2022-23 Caf Champions League to add to their 2016 title, right? After all, surely this is a much more polished Sundowns outfit than the one Pitso Mosimane was in charge of when they conquered the continent in 2016?
Premier continental club football is, however, a different kettle of fish from the domestic game where the opposition seemingly go against Sundowns already resigned to defeat. In the Champions League, the likes of Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca and their neighbours, Raja Casablanca, will provide tougher opposition. And then some.
Set to commence the group stage campaign with a home clash against Sudan’s Al Hilal on Saturday, Sundowns seem a shoo-in for progression to the quarterfinals from a group that also includes Egyptian giants Ahly and Cameroon’s Coton Sport.
It gets tougher after the group stage, where coach Rulani Mokwena and his men are bound to take on the usual suspects — their North African nemesis who are masters of knockout football.
This current side though, says former Sundowns midfielder Roger Feutmba, are a strong and well-oiled machine that has what it takes to go all the way.
“I believe they are a huge contender for the Champions League title this time, based on the quality of football they are playing,” Feutmba said.
“Of course there is tougher competition in Africa than here in the PSL. But I believe because they are doing well in the domestic league they will have much more confidence when they play on the continent.”
The former Cameroon international, a squad member of the Indomitable Lions’ historic 1990 World Cup quarterfinalists, does not share the sentiments expressed by some that the Premiership is weak and Sundowns’ success has a lot to do with their buying power.
“I was at Sundowns when Patrice Motsepe bought the club. And anyone with a good memory will know success did not come immediately, even when the club bought top players and hired top coaches.
“This has been a long process. They have been working on this project to be a dominant club locally and on the continent for years. So it is not fair to say they are winning simply because they have money. It is how you use that money that will determine your success.”
He argues that Sundowns’ failure to win the continent’s premier club knockout competition since they got the better of Zamalek in the final seven years ago is not a sign of regression.
Rulani has shown he is passionate about Sundowns and believes in their playing philosophy built by his predecessors from many years ago
— Roger Feutmba
“They have been doing well in the Champions League all this time. They were just unlucky and perhaps lacked a bit of consistency. But this time around they have been performing with consistency. Their ability to win matches, even when they are not the best team on the day, is going to be a key factor in their campaign.”
‘General’, as Feutmba was fondly referred to in his playing days, is encouraged by the change to Sundowns’ technical team format.
“I am happy they have given Rulani the lead role as a coach. I believe a team has to have someone who takes responsibility for the results instead of having three or four people in charge at the same time.
“Rulani has shown he is passionate about Sundowns and believes in their playing philosophy built by his predecessors from many years ago.”
Feutmba believes Mokwena is a “fantastic coach” whose desire to keep learning and improving his knowledge benefits Sundowns.
“He wants to be among the best coaches in the world, and to achieve that he has to start by winning the Champions League. He has been biding his time, learning from the senior coaches, and now it is his time to shine.”
Such has been Sundowns’ performances locally that Feutmba is confident they are in a position to match the continent’s giants.
“They have been solid and effective, that’s why they have been winning here at home. And I believe if they can continue in that vein, they will do well against the likes of Al Ahly.
“Given what they have done here, the next step is obviously to dominate Africa. Of course it will be a little difficult because the rest of the teams out there are just as organised, hard-working and blessed with talented players as Sundowns are.
“But I believe they will progress from the group stage and will go far this time. They have what it takes to win the Champions league this year.”
Sundowns’ 2022-23 Caf Champions’ League Group fixtures;
Saturday, February 11: home vs Al Hilal
February 17 : away vs Coton Sport
February 26 : away vs Al Ahly
March 7; home vs Al Ahly
March 17: away vs Al Hilal
March 31: home vs Coton Sport
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