An excited Thapelo Morena described lifting the Absa Premiership for the first time in his career in front of his former fans as him honouring the promise he made to himself when he left Bloemfontein Celtic for Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016.
The 24-year-old received loud applause from the supporters of his former team and current team at Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium on Saturday in his march to get his first league winner’s medal.
“I’ve got no words. I am speechless. I am just happy that I finally got it. I’ve been dreaming about this,” Morena said. “It was really touching to get this medal here. But the thing is that when I left here, I had a dream and I knew what I wanted to do. When I got to Sundowns, I worked very hard to achieve that. For me to lift the PSL cup here proves that I honoured the promise I made to myself on what I would do at Sundowns.”
There were doubts on whether Morena would make the grade at Sundowns after showing promise at Phunya Sele Sele. He quickly proved those doubters wrong with consistent performances whether he is used at rightback or as a winger.
“I don’t prove,” Morena said. “I just work very hard to do my best. I don’t have to prove anything. It wasn’t difficult to play at rightback because I started in this position at Celtic. When I got to Sundowns, even before I played there the coaches spoke to me about it, showed me videos and told me where I need to improve to do well in that position. It wasn’t that really difficult. I grabbed the chance I got with two hands.”
Morena will now take on Barcelona after being crowned league champions to show how much his life has turned around at Sundowns. The Brazilians’ international friendly against Barcelona will be played at 6pm at FNB Stadium on Wednesday.
“It’s a game which we are going to learn a lot from,” Morena said. “We will have to do what we have to do. Percy (Tau) likes to watch (Lionel) Messi so he is going to learn from him, looking at him from the other side.”