FILE PHOTO: Muhsin Ertugral and former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane, who was the first to lead the Masandawana to the CAF Champions League title 10 years ago.
Image: BackpagePix
Former Kaizer Chiefs, Ajax Cape Town, and Cape Town City coach Muhsin Ertugral has heaped praise on Mamelodi Sundowns for winning their second CAF Champions League title in Morocco.
Sundowns ended their 10-year barren run without the continent’s elite trophy when they defeated AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate over the two-legged final last Sunday.
Ertugral once led Ajax Cape Town to victory over Sundowns in the 2007 Absa Cup final.
The experienced Turkish mentor believes the Brazilians' ability to counter often-challenging conditions across the African continent has set them apart.
“What Sundowns achieved again is bigger than a title. Staying at the top for a decade is difficult in football. The second star is not built easily,” Ertugral posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“To overcome these difficult away games across the continent, and uncomfortable moments, really requires smart leadership and players who understand responsibility.”
He believes Sundowns’ victory is a template for the rest of the South African teams to imitate if they wish to achieve similar success, as it goes beyond the playing field.
“Great clubs create something deeper than just tactics,” Ertugral continued. “They create culture.”
“This second star is won with a mentality to keep pushing. That is the hardest thing in this game, staying at the top when everybody is chasing you. Congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns.”
Masandawana will be celebrating their CAF Champions League triumph by hosting a major trophy parade across Tshwane on Tuesday.
The victory tour will feature two buses for players and supporters, parading through several areas, including Mamelodi, Sunnyside, Atteridgeville, Hammanskraal, Soshanguve, Mabopane, and Ga-Rankuwa.
The parade culminates at Church Square in the Pretoria CBD.