By Michael Madyira
Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane says they will bring the South African football flair to the expanded 2025 Fifa Club World Cup.
The Brazilians will be part of the four African teams to participate at the global club competition to be hosted by the United States of America.
They will be joined by European giants Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
Zwane says they will be in the USA to compete and will show the world the Mzansi traditional brand of football.
“We are not going there to just add numbers,” Zwane told Sundowns magazine.
“We are highly motivated to go to the Fifa Club World Cup and compete, playing our brand of football against the best teams in the competition.”
“It’s a stage that every professional player would want to show their talent and skill and gauge their standard.”
It will be the second time Masandawana will participate at the Club World Cup after being there in 2016 in Japan.
In the current Brazilians squad, only Zwane, goalkeeper Denis Onyango and Thapelo Morena were part of the 2016 crop.
Sundowns forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa views the global club competition as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“I’m very excited and happy about the opportunity to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup,” said Ribeiro.
“Few players get this chance, especially to compete against big European clubs. I can’t wait to showcase our talent on the global stage.”
Going to the Club World Cup is likely to inspire Sundowns to go big in the transfer market and bring in world-class players.
Pictured above: Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrating
Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns
