History was made under the majestic skyline of South Africa's capital, Tshwane, on the afternoon of 12 November 2023, when Mamelodi Sundowns made easy work of what seemed a near-impossible task, overturning a 2-1 defeat to Wydad Casablanca to clinch the inaugural African Football League trophy. Oh the sweet smell of R75 million! Considering the sweat, blood and tears the men who report to Chloorkop for training had to endure en route to the podium, even overcoming Team of the Century Al Ahly, every cent of that prize money is well deserved. But more important than the financial reward is a place in the history books, and this current Downs team will be remembered for a long time to come for their exploits, never-say-die attitude and playing the game of football the way it should be played. We salute the lads clad in Yellow and Blue for this magnificent achievement, and in this interview, Soccer Laduma's Zola Doda talks to Downs' legend and Club Ambassador Tiyani Mabunda as he shares how he almost fell from the stands onto the pitch while celebrating Peter Shalulile's goal!
Zola Doda: "Shuga", first and foremost, congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns for winning the African Football League. How did it feel when the referee blew the final whistle against Wydad Casablanca last Sunday?
Tiyani Mabunda: You know, it's really a wonderful feeling and we would like to thank God for entrusting us with the responsibility to be the first club to win the African Football League. As Mamelodi Sundowns, we are truly grateful for the opportunity to impact the continent with the talent that we possess. We have something about being inaugural champions because our Ladies team were also the first winners of the CAF Women's Champions League, and now the senior men's team has done the same with the African Football League, so this is a wonderful moment and time for Mamelodi Sundowns. We have to appreciate all the hard work that has been put in by the club, the board, the Chairman (Tlhopie Motsepe) and all the supporters within the club.
ZD: The supporters came out in numbers in the final. But what can you do to ensure that it doesn't just happen in the final or big matches?
TM: The supporters play a very big role and, in most cases, we tend to neglect the impact that they have, but you can see all over the continent, wherever we go, no matter how good we may be, the opponents' supporters always make us feel a little bit of intimidation. But we are grateful that our supporters played their part. The singing and chanting really energises and makes the players feel that they are playing at home. Every time they pack the stadium, the boys know how to show up and that is what the chairman, Mr Tlhopie Motsepe, always requested, that, "Let the supporters come in numbers and support the boys and greater things will happen." And here are the fruits of his words – labour and hard work. The supporters are a greater part of this club, and it's possible to get them (coming to games) consistently, but it's not something that will happen overnight. It takes a lot of hard work. The more the boys play well, the more the team does well in different competitions, then people will draw the love of coming to the game and the atmosphere will be electrifying. The boys have shown throughout the years that they have been working hard. On the field of play, they have dominated and shown that they really want the supporters to come. When they come, they find joy. But, like you said, it shouldn't only happen in such games. But there will always be a difference when you play such games compared to other matches. The desire, the plan and the work that has been put in to make sure that we have this kind of atmosphere week in and week out … that is what we want to see.
ZD: Heading to the final, it was not a foregone conclusion that the Brazilians would turn things around. There was a Wydad rearguard door still to break down…
TM: We may not have won the first leg in Morocco, but the away goal gave us so much confidence that all we needed was to make sure that we didn't concede at home. The second leg was difficult and it required a lot of mental strength. Former players who have played in the CAF Champions League were able to speak words of encouragement and coach Rhulani (Mokwena) is experienced and (has) been there. Coach Manqoba (Mngqithi) and coach Wendell (Robinson) have also been in the same situation. The mental strength is what was key for us. Coming to the game, we knew that we would have goals and all we needed to do was to solidify at the back, make sure we didn't concede. The final was something else, it reminded me of the semi-final we played in 2016 where we lost 2-1 to ZESCO (United) in Zambia and came back home and won 2-0 to reach the final. This is the same kind of mentality that was required and the boys delivered. You really need to take your hat off for players like Teboho Mokoena, who was working in the middle of the park. Peter Shalulile coming back from injury and scoring the goal. Aubrey Modiba, unbelievable player… and I can say the same about every player. That is something that needs to be cherished.
ZD: When Shalulile scored the first goal, what went through your mind?
TM: I almost fell off the grandstand! They had to pull me with my blazer. The Chairman and I were so excited, we also caused a scene there because it was something unbelievable. We had just spoken about it a few minutes before, saying that, "If we can just score one goal and go to half-time with a lead, that will be great", and immediately (after that), Peter did that. Every Sundowns supporter was crying for him to come back for the final and he did. The club had to fast-track his recovery – him and Lucas Ribeiro. They were not full 100% fit, but they did the job that was required. And that is why Ribeiro was substituted. But that goal was so special, I almost fell from the grandstand straight into the field during our celebrations. Everybody at Mamelodi Sundowns is trusted and everyone is capable of delivering.
ZD: When Modiba scored the second goal early in the second half, did you think that the game was almost over as a contest?
TM: Before that, Peter almost scored with an interception. That was something that was practised throughout the week, that we needed to hide behind the pockets, and that is where Aubrey found himself and (he) took the chance. You really need heart of steel in the final to go past two players and chip the ball like that. You really need so much confidence, but Aubrey has been doing well. He was one of the key players in Egypt when we played Al Ahly. He is really on a great run. The second goal sealed it off, we could not have asked for more. It gave us a breather. We did try to get a third just in case they tried to pull a surprise on us.
ZD: What did it mean when "Sha-Sha" and Ribeiro recovered from injury ahead of the big game?
TM: Having them was a confidence booster, even the supporters were enquiring when would they be back. Yes, we were playing well, but we missed our scoring machines. What I really appreciated the most is the way the players who were playing… when they heard the news that they would be playing, they were happy.
ZD: What lessons are the Brazilians taking out of this tournament heading into the CAF Champions League group stage next week?
TM: Playing in such competitions helps players grow. In the past three seasons of the Champions League, we were knocked out by Petro Luanda, Al Ahly and then Wydad Casablanca, and in the same sequence, we knocked all of them out of the African Football League. We played Petro Luanda in the last eight, followed by Al Ahly in the semi-final and then Wydad. That is something that helped us identify the strength that we had as compared to the challenges that we encounter. Playing in the Champions League every season does help not only Sundowns but also the national team. You can see how the boys are so confident. You have Themba Zwane in the starting line-up of Bafana Bafana, Mokoena, Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala, Grant Kekana, Ronwen Williams and so many players that are senior players in the national team. They began gaining experience on the continent and that has helped both Sundowns and the national team to do well, and I believe from here going forward, we will see more players getting selected to the national team.
ZD: In the AFL, Sundowns only conceded two goals, both in the first leg of the final. What does that say about the growth of the team?
TM: Throughout this competition as well as the Champions League, Sundowns has transitioned to a team that is stronger when we play away, and at home, we know that we do the business. In the quarterfinal against Petro Luanda, we went all out in the first leg and came back home to finish the job. We know how to manage the game. Against Wydad in Casablanca, there was no holding back, we were pressing and trying to get as many goals as we could in order to wrap it up at home. That is the difference in this competition. It was the same against Al Ahly in the semi-final. There is a beef between Al Ahly and Sundowns, and the mutual respect as well. There are a team that has dominated the continent for so long and Sundowns and Wydad have also stepped up. Sundowns was the only team that was not from North Africa in the last four and that tells you that there is some great work done by Sundowns to compete against all the best teams on the continent. When the president (Dr. Patrice Motsepe) said, when he bought this team in 2004, that he wanted to dominate the continent, that is exactly what we have seen.
ZD: So, can you take your African Football League form to the Champions League as you chase that elusive second star on top of the badge?
TM: That is the wish and the desire, to continue with this momentum. All the injured players – about 90% of them – are back. Thapelo Morena is back, we've seen Lebo Maboe, Peter, Ribeiro – we have a lot of options. And that is when we will see the confidence and the desire. The continental victory we've just had will push us to be able to carry on. During my time, we used to win and continue to want to dominate, and that is the mentality we see with this current squad. It's not only hard work, but also exceptional footballers.
ZD: Last but not least, what can we expect from Sundowns between now and the end of the season?
TM: The process remains, the quest to defend our league title continues. We have already lost two cups and that is something that is not good. Now we have the DStv Premiership championship and the Nedbank Cup. We are trying also to compete and win them both. There is also the Champions League and we will continue with the same mentality. Our boys have shown that they are capable of dominating the continent.
