Despite eliminating Mamelodi Sundowns from this season's CAF Champions League, Wydad Casablanca boss Sven Vandenbroeck believes the DStv Premiership champions are still the best side in Africa.
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The Belgian tactician took charge of the Red Castle a week before their titanic tussle against Masandawana in Casablanca, and while the 43-year-old was unable to inflict a first defeat on Rhulani Mokwena and his charges in the Champions League, Vandenbroeck remained coy about his team's chances of progressing to a second successive final upon the return leg in Tshwane.
Prior to the second leg of the semi-final at Loftus Versfeld, the newly appointed Wydad head coach insisted that Sundowns were the best team on the continent, and while he was unable to win in South Africa, a 2-2 draw was enough to see his side through to the biggest football match in African club football.
Despite reaching the final, though, the former Simba and FAR Rabat boss has not changed his stance regarding Sundowns' status as the best team in Africa.
"I still believe in what I said [on Friday]," the ex-Zambia national team coach said in a post-match press conference Soccer Laduma attended.
"I think if you look at the technical and the variations of their offensive play, I don't think we've ever seen this in African football. I think they're very strong in this.
"But to give an example. I think it took many, many years for the runners to go one mile under four minutes.
"And once it happened, one month after, I think there were another five. Sometimes you have to win something to get over that point and Wydad Casablanca is used to winning things and have already won the Champions League.
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"So maybe just that extra experience. Extra mental that plays a part in winning, but if they continue like this, I think they will dominate the next couple of years in the Champions League. I will not say they will win it but they will dominate and always go far.
"But to really continue a period of winning trophies, you have to get your first one and not in the local league but on the continent."
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