Sundowns' kasi flavour vs German precision: A battle to remember
Toast of world football Sundowns players pose for a team photograph ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup clash against Borussia Dortmund last Saturday. Photo: Federico Parra/AFP
Image: Federico Parra/AFP
Mamelodi Sundowns have been winning over new fans thanks to their exploits at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Sundowns, the perennial South African champions known as the Brazilians, kicked off their campaign with an impressive 1-0 win over Ulsan last week. They followed it up with a solid performance against German giants Borussia Dortmund, narrowly losing 4-3.
One player who's hit top form and got the world talking is – actual – Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro, who has put in a number of impressive shifts. In their opening game against Ulsan,
Sundowns found the back of the net three times, but two of those goals were ruled out. All of them were scored by Iqraam Rayners, with Ribeiro having a hand in each one.
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In Sundowns' second game, Ribeiro stunned everyone in attendance at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati when he scored a brilliant solo goal to put his team in front after just 11 minutes. He picked up the ball in his own half, and slalomed his way past a few Dortmund defenders to slot the ball past Gregor Kobel.
It was appropriate that an actual Brazilian was lighting up the stage for a team playing in yellow and blue. The Sundowns style of play, featuring short, slick passes and a patient build-up, which is colloquially known as 'shoe shine and piano,' was on full display, and the world took note.
For parts of the game, Dortmund, with their gegenpress, couldn't cope with Sundowns' kasi flavour. Many believe had it not been for Ronwen Williams' mistake in the first half, and Khuliso Mudau's own goal on the hour mark, Sundowns could have walked away with a very famous win.
Unfortunately, Sundowns' impressive performances on the world stage mean a number of clubs with big wallets will be taking note of their players. The likes of Ribeiro, Rayners, Teboho Mokoena, and Marcelo Allende might never be seen gracing the PSL again.
Orlando Pirates, Stellenbosch FC, and Kaizer Chiefs will be looking on and hoping that Sundowns lose a number of their key players ahead of the new season, as that could weaken them.
But whatever the future holds, Sundowns have already achieved something far more valuable than silverware – they've earned global respect.
For 90 minutes against one of Europe's elite, they showed that South African football belongs on the biggest stages. In a tournament designed to celebrate the best of the best, the Brazilians didn't just show up – they danced, dazzled, and nearly delivered a shock for the ages.
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