Share

Pitso proud of Sundowns players for lifting CAF trophy in Egypt

Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane reveals that there is "no sweeter" victory than winning the CAF Champions League in Egypt.

READ: As it happened: Zamalek 1-3 Sundowns

Mosimane's charges entered the second-leg with a 3-0 lead over a determined Zamalek at the Borg El Arab Stadium.

A 60 000 strong crowd made conditions worse for the traveling party as laser beams and negative remarks from the home fans were used to make life uncomfortable for the Brazilians.

'Downs goalkeeper Dennis Onyango was stretchered off in the first-half after receiving medical attention and was replaced by veteran, Wayne Sandilands for rest of the encounter.

Sundowns' game plan worked well up until the 65th minute as Zamalek broke the deadlock through a thunderous 25-yard strike from Stanley Ohawuchi.

The Egyptian giants were probing for a second goal but Sundowns remained stubborn in the dying moments of the game as Sandilands put in a few good saves to secure the Pretoria's side first African star.

"We have to respect Zamalek - they’re a big team, and to come to Egypt and raise the trophy here... there no sweeter way to lift the trophy," Mosimane told reporters after the game as quoted by KickOff.

"It’s undisputable... we played here, and we lifted it here. So we really deserve to lift the trophy, and it was a good game.

"It was difficult to play in front of the White Knight supporters - it was the first time we had ever faced such a big crowd."

"But I instructed my players before the game to go out and walk on the pitch, as if they stayed in the dressing room, they would get a shock when they came out. So we dealt well with that.

"I’m proud of my boys, playing for the first time in front of such a big crowd... and we won the trophy."

Sundowns will now participate in the FIFA World Club Cup in December where they could face the likes of Real Madrid.

Mosimane and his charges are expected to arrive back in South Africa on Wednesday, October 26.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1818 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1779 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE