Themba Zwane: Right time for Sundowns to win CAF Champions League

Themba Zwane: Photo Credit: Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker Themba Zwane stated that this is the right time for them to win the CAF Champions League, hence the need to win against Espérance Sportive de Tunis on Tuesday.

Zwane disclosed Sundowns ambition of winning the CAF Champions League ahead of the home quarterfinal, first-leg match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Tuesday.

Zwane said the South African champions are motivated by the desire to win the continental silverware they last laid their hands on in 2016.

"The team is feeling good ahead of this game. We know what to expect. We know what we must do. I think overall we are ready as a team. This game means a lot because the goal now is to win the Champions League. It is not something that we have been hiding. Over these years, we have been pushing ourselves and I think this year is the right time to win it,” he said in an interview with iDiski reporter Lorenz Kohler.

The midfielder resumed training with the Betway Premiership side after missing some weeks due to an injury, thereby boosting the hosts in Tuesday’s encounter.

Meanwhile, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says he expects his former employers Espérance Sportive de Tunis to maintain their identity despite changing two coaches since his exit last year.

The two teams will clash again in the quarter final second-leg match on 8 April, 2025, a game the Sundowns boss suggests would be more crucial than the outcome of the first leg.

Cardoso was in charge of the Tunisian giants when they stunned Sundowns 1-0 over two legs in the semifinal. Months later he was hired to replace highly rated Rulani Mokwena who is now in charge of Moroccan side Wydad Athletic Club.