Former African champion Kekana backs Sundowns’ mental strength and experience ahead of TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final

Why discipline and hunger matter most in continental finals

Midfield control could be key against AS FAR

Former champions urges Sundowns to chase historic second star

Mamelodi Sundowns legend Hlompho Kekana believes experience, hunger and patience could prove decisive as the former African champions chase continental glory once again in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

In an exclusive sit-down interview with CAFOnline.com, the former Sundowns captain who famously lifted the coveted trophy with the club shared his insights on what it takes to succeed on Africa’s biggest club stage, while backing the current squad to rise to the occasion against AS FAR.

The South Africans will contest the continental crown over a two-legged affair on 17 and 24 May against the Moroccan giants in what promises to be two blockbuster clashes.

This is what the former skipper had to say when speaking to CAFOnline.com.

From your experience, what usually defines the outcome of a CAF Champion League final?

What defines the outcome is the one that comes with a lot of momentum, hunger and determination to win. I always believe that the CAF Champions League is a game of goals and not conceding.

It is very fragile when it comes to that, you have to be very structured because you playing against teams that are well structured and know how to play. It is a two-legged final so you have to be cautious but at the same time try to score so it is a very tricky match.

⁠⁠Where do you think Sundowns can gain the biggest advantage against AS FAR?

Biggest advantage is that we have been in the competition for some time and were in the final last year so I believe we stand a very good chance. Our players are national team players and experienced in playing on the continent. I believe it puts them at an advantage, and they just need to continue playing like they have been against the big teams such as Al Ahly and Wydad.

The way we play is always stretching teams and stresses opponents so if they lay the Sundowns way, I believe we stand a big chance of winning it again this time

How important is midfield control in matches of this intensity?

Of course midfield will always come handy for us specially with players like Themba and Nuno. I believe they can do well for us and hold the ball because North African teams are masters in waiting for small errors and they will pounce with counter attacks.

You just want to make sure that you are always on the ball and create passing lanes and control the midfield.

What psychological qualities do players need to handle the pressure of a continental final?

I think the most important thing is to make sure you stay calm in every moment. It will then allow you to play the way you want to play and be creative in moments. Of course, you will be pressed back at times, but you need to always stick to the plan and once you do that, the preparations will show. It is important that players stay calm and play the match and not the occasion. The occasion is always big at this level, but I believe the 90-minutes is more important that the occasion.

Sundowns have built a reputation for possession play - how crucial is patience in games like this?

Patience is key in the Sundowns way of doing things. We play with a lot of quality layers around who are able to make football look easy. At the same time, the opposition also likes to keep the ball so if you are Mamelodi Sundowns and not give them the balls easily, you starve them of those planned moments, and they start being impatient which is where you want them. It will be important to stay calm because remember it is a two-legged match.

What advice would you give current Sundowns players stepping onto this stage?

I think my advice to the boys is that it is now time to require Mamelodi Sundowns history and put Sundowns where it belongs. I think we have the ability to win competitions of this nature. We just need to put effort into the 90minuts, and we give performances that we usually give, I think we stand a big chance of winning this trophy.

We have been to the final before, so this is not new at all. We just need to work hard and ensure that the club logo gets a second star on for winning a continental title.

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