Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Themba Zwane says talent alone is not enough to win the CAF Champions League and discussed the upcoming clash against St Eloi Lupopo who eliminated Orlando Pirates from the competition.
Sundowns have reached the semi-finals and the finals of the competition in the last two editions, the closest they have come to winning the title since their maiden triumph in 2016.
There’s optimism amongst the squad that this could be the year they finally get over the mark, which Zwane says will be purely down to hard work with the talented crop of players they have at their disposal.
“It’s very important [to get to the final again] last season we came very close, this season we have to raise our level, mindset and work harder, the Champions League, talent alone is not enough, you need to put the work in too,” Zwane said.
“I think this season is going to be interesting and for us, we’re ready for everything. Step by step, it was semi-final and then final – so now this season hopefully we will lift it, we want to improve season by season.”
Having been grouped alongside Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger, Al Hilal Sudan and Linafoot side Lupopo – it proves another fascinating line up of fixtures for a place in the knockout stages on the line.
“We had an opportunity to watch them against Pirates, they’re a team that… they are dirty man, the tackles are flying but they put in the hard work,” Zwane said.
“For us, we still have time to analyse them now – because we know we’re going to meet them and have time to sit down and figure out where we can capitalise when we face them, it will be an exciting game.”
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