Mamelodi Sundowns: South African kings to be underdogs in the Americas

The Star

13 hours ago

THE WORLD CUP is not a name you ordinarily associate with South Africa. At least we have not really had reason to since we hosted the 2010 edition of the global soccer showpiece.
Having missed out on the last three editions of FIFA's crown jewel, it looks like we might finally go back to the spectacle next year given the good from Bafana Bafana are enjoying in the qualifiers.
Prior to us going to the Americas next year where the United States, Canada and Mexico are going to jointly host the tournament, we've got a World Cup to get excited about starting this week.
Granted, the FIFA Club World Cup has nothing on the main one contested by countries. But it is a World Cup alright, and we should be delighted that we are going to be represented.
South African league kings Mamelodi Sundowns are out in the US to fly our flag high in the inaugural; edition of the extended competition that will now be contested by 32 clubs instead of the seven from the past.
The Brazilians are one of four African countries out there with the others being Al Ahly of Egypt, Espérance of Tunisia and Morocco's Wydad Casablanca.
I am looking forward to seeing just how Sundowns fare against opposition from different continents, Bafana ba Style having long proven to be one of the best teams in Africa.
Drawn into a group with Europe's Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense of South America and Asians Ulsan – the multiple SA Premiership champions are surely going to be tested.
On the face of it, they are the underdogs against the Germans, Brazilians and even South Koreans, whom I've picked up many South Africans are underestimating.
The reality is that Ullsan - whom Sundowns open their campaign against midnight on Tuesday going into Wednesday – are going to be a tough opponent.
The good thing is that coach Miguel Cardoso and his technical team are fully aware of what they are going to be up against, the Portuguese having said before their departure that he does not expect his team to dominate ball possession like they usually do here at home.
Now, the discerning South African soccer fan will be aware that our clubs have been smashed badly by South Korean opposition in the past.
Themba Zwane and Dennis Onyango will do well to share with their teammates the pain of the 4-1 thrashing they got against Jeonbuk at the 2016 Club World Cup as a way to make them realize Ullsan cannot be taken for granted.
And if they bothered to do their research, they would also have picked up on another hammering for a South African club by a South AKorean outfit.
Way back in 1996 after they'd won the CAF Champions League and the CAF Super Cup, Orlando Pirates took on Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma in the then Afro-Asian Cup and the Buccaneers got smashed 5-0, proof the Koreans cannot be taken lightly right?
Dortmund are no doubt the group's favourites and Fluminense wil be a massive test for Sundowns.
It is a great space for the Betway Premiership champions to be and this is a chance for them to truly test just where they are on the global stage.
The disappointment of having failed to win the CAF Champions League a second time should long be behind them and Ronwen Williams and Co should see this as an opportunity to not only put Sundowns on the global map but to also market themselves as individuals to potential big clubs in big leagues.
As Steve Komphela said prior to their departure, this is a n opportunity to sell South African and African football.
What excites me is also the fact that there are three other players from home who will be involved in the Wydad duo of Cassius Mailula and Thembinkosi Lorch as well as Elias Mokwana of Esperance. Go and shine and fly our flag high boys.
The memories of the FIFA 2010 World Cup are way too old, it is time we got new ones and the Club World Cup provides us with a chance to associate with the World Cup.
Someone must go out there and do something special ala S[phiwe Tshabalala on that cold June 11 day at the FNB Stadium 15 years ago, right?