Mamelodi Sundowns' quest over the past five years to become the best club on the African continent has become something akin to chasing down the Holy Grail, but credit to the runaway South African champions, they throw everything at it.
While their only previous success in the continent's premier club contest in 2016 was somewhat incidental and most fortunate - they were eliminated twice, yet got reprieves that allowed them to go on and win the African Champion League - their efforts since have been full of application, planning, rigour and purpose.
However, since lifting the trophy seven years ago, they have consistently fallen short, suggesting something of a 'Manchester City' syndrome that they must conquer.
Just like Pep Guardiola's team, Sundowns flattered to deceive in the early rounds and group stages and then bombed out in knockout stages as the pressure was suddenly ratcheted up.
This, season they have made a concerted effort again, and there must be praise and commendations for how they have taken on their task.
It is no easy matter, of course. The team from Pretoria may be the dominant force domestically, but are 'new boys' on the Champions League block when compared to the classy opponents they must hurdle over in the business end of the competition.
The north African giants who have stymied Sundowns' ambition in recent years have between 20 and 30 years of additional experience of competing in continental club competition and bring all of that to bear when needed.
この記事は Soccer Club の June 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Soccer Club の June 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
EUROPEAN KINGS
WINNING THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST HONOURS IN WORLD FOOTBALL AND ONLY A HANDFUL OF PLAYERS HAVE WON IT MORE THAN ONCE
GOAL-SHY
THE GOALS ARE DRYING UP IN THE DSTV PREMIERSHIP AND WE COULD YET BE IN FOR A RECORD LOW THIS CAMPAIGN
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON
SURPRISE RALANI IS A TOP TALENT IN THE LOCAL GAME, AND HIS SON EMILE WITBOOI COULD BE THE FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL
STILL GOING STRONG
GAVIN HUNT IS A STALWART OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL. HE SHARES INSIGHTS INTO HIS STORIED CAREER
JUMPINGSHIP
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS PULLED OFF ONE OF THE SHOCK MOVES IN MANY A SEASON WHEN THEY SIGNED THEMBINKOSI LORCH FROM ORLANDO PIRATES IN JANUARY
TROPHY HUNTERS
WHICH ARE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CLUBS IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF TROPHIES WON?
TIME TO SHINE
REEVE FROSLER COULD BE AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE PUZZLE FOR CLUB AND COUNTRY IN THE FUTURE
BAFANA TO THE DUGOUT
WHICH FORMER BAFANA BAFANA PLAYERS HAVE MADE THE TRANSITION TO TOP COACHES?
MORE THAN A GAME
TWO GIANTS COLLIDE WHEN REAL MADRID HOST BARCELONA IN LALIGA'S 'EL CLÁSICO' ON 21 APRIL
BIG SPENDING
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS MAY NOT HAVE ALWAYS GOT IT RIGHT IN THE TRANSFER MARKET, BUT THEY HAVE RESHAPED THE SOUTH AFRICAN SYSTEM IN THE PAST 20 YEARS.