Nobody remembers runners up - Mostsepe

Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe has challenged Pitso Mosimane and his men to bring home the CAF Champions League trophy. �Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe has challenged Pitso Mosimane and his men to bring home the CAF Champions League trophy. �Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Published Sep 26, 2016

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After Mamelodi Sundowns progressing to the continental club cup final, their owner Patrice Motsepe has challenged Pitso Mosimane and his men to bring home the prestigious CAF Champions League trophy.

Motsepe watched with delight as Mosimane’s men shrugged off Zambian champions Zesco United 2-0 (3-2 on aggregate) to qualify for the final of Africa's premier club knockout competition for the first time in 15 years.

After the glorious Saturday night in Atteridgeville, an elated Motsepe heaped praise on Mosimane and his men,urging them to go all the way to conquering Africa, which is one of the owner's biggest ambitions.

“The most important thing we said is we still have a long way to go,” said Motsepo.

“I think it’s correct to say that Pitso did a wonderful job. The players did a wonderful work too. I mean they made all of us very proud but nobody remembers number two. Nobody remembers that you were in the final.”

Sundowns will face Egyptians giants Zamalek in the final of the competition that Mosimane has been hankering after ever since his humble days at SuperSport United.

When they play Zamalek on the weekends of October 14 and 21, Sundowns will be hoping to hoist high the South African flag.

“To represent the country is a great honour for all of us. We were telling the players that the country is proud of you, so go and represent us with pride,” said Motsepe.

It has not been smooth sailing for Mosimane and his players to get to the final for the first time since Ted Dumitru took the Brazilians to the ultimate stage of the same tournament in 2001 where they lost to Egyptian giants Al Ahly.. No wonder Mosimane labelled their 'successful' campaign as having been achieved ‘against all odds'.

The coach was both elated and relieved that his team reached the final despite a hectic schedule, a hobbling squad due to injuries, as well as suspensions and transfers.

“It’s against all odds. Nobody remembers you when you are second. So let's win the trophy,” said the man known as Jingles.

Mosimane also made a case that his side could be the best ever assembled Sundowns outfit.

He says his players, who have won four trophies since his arrival, believe they are the best.

“I am happy to be part of the history at Sundowns. The boys say people have been asking, 'is this the best Sundowns ever?'“They say which one? Which is the best Sundowns ever? “That’s the question. The one that went to the final? They say we are in the final now. Did they get the 71 points? Which is the biggest Sundowns ever?”

“I think this story of the best Sundowns, we must revisit. I know we had the (Roger) Feutmbas and (Raphael) Chukwus but they never beat Kaizer Chiefs in the final, and we beat Chiefs 3-1 in the final,” Mosimane reasoned.

“If we talk about statistics and history of the club, I think we have matched that. This is a different generation. We are limping. We hardly had 18 players. We are limping but we keep going.”

The former Bafana Bafana coach says the experience he garnered during his tenure with the national team has come in handy in guiding his side to the final.

‘I am fortunate and I must thank Safa at this moment. I am fortunate I was in the programme of continental football for five years. I don’t know how many games you play in five years. I am fortunate. I have done Afcon, Confed Cup and the World Cup.I have learnt a lot and it rubs off on the players,” he said, adding It has been an incredible time for himself and his players after they reached the final of the MTN8 at the weekend. It might just be the glory days for Sundowns but first they have to do plenty of hard the work by defeating Bidvest Wits and Zamalek in the MTN8 and Champions League finals respectively.

The Star

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