Mamelodi Sundowns impressed many fans despite failing to get past the initial stage in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup.
The Premier Soccer League champions began with a 1-0 win over Ulsan HD before narrowly losing 4-3 to German Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund in their second game. The final pool game with Fluminense ended goalless despite the great chances they had to hit the back of the net.
In his interview with the media, defender Grant Kekana, who played all three matches, is happy with the way they played. He has further explained where they went wrong, which cost them a place in the Round of 16.
‘The difference between us and being at the top is efficiency'
“I think it was a good learning experience for us it’s a tournament that showed us we are capable, we have the talent to compete, which we surely did compete, I think with all the games played, we weren’t humiliated or dominated, we just ran out of time,” he stated.
“I think in terms of quality, Dortmund was the hardest one, a lot of good movements off the ball, very good, and they are very clinical in front of the goal. It’s a game of small margins, you know; the difference between us and being at the top is efficiency,” he concluded.
Sundowns are now on a holiday before they streamline their squad and start preparations for the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League campaign.
Apart from the South African top-flight football, the Brazilians will be chasing their second star in the Caf Champions League. In the 2024/25 season, Masandawana reached the final but failed to get past Pyramids who won a two-legged encounter 3-2.
