‘It hasn’t been too difficult’ – Sundowns’ star thumps chest as Pirates beckon

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana insists preparing for MTN8 final without key players doesn’t give Orlando Pirates an advantage.

Masandawana stars have been with the national team Bafana Bafana for the last three weeks. During this period, South Africa played two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, as well as a friendly game against Egypt.

Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Thabang Matuludi, Khulumani Ndamane, Aubrey Modiba, Fawaaz Basadien, Thapelo Morena, Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas, Tashreeq Matthews, Themba Zwane, Cassius Mailula and Iqraam Rayners were with Pitso Mosimane’s team.

The Brazilians were also without their defender Divine Lungu who was representing Zimbabwe. It got worse for Sundowns as Mokoena, Aubaas and Modiba came back with injuries. But Kekana is convinced the team will deliver on Saturday when they play Bucs in Durban.

It wasn’t too much of a headache

“It hasn’t been too difficult. Even those who were away are part and parcel of what our style of play is about. So, it’s just about the ones that were not playing regularly to sort of adjust and to get them on the same level as the ones who left [in FIFA break]. It wasn’t too much of a headache to prepare during this international break,” he said in a presser.

“At Sundowns, we don’t play competitions to compete; we play them to dominate. Last season, we were unfortunate not to get anything locally, but this season we’ve given ourselves a chance, especially at the start of the season, to get a local trophy. We are highly motivated, and I think we are eager and ready to go.

“It’s going to be very important for us to assert ourselves. We’ve fallen short quite a few times in this competition. It’s sort of been our Achillies heel, but the mood and energy is different in the camp.

“We are all highly motivated and positive about this fixture,” the 33-year-old concluded.