Mamelodi Sundowns have become stars of Africa after becoming only the second club from the country to ever win the African Champions League. They had lost 1-0 against Zamalek in Egypt on Sunday but won over 3-1 on aggregate as ‘the Brazilians’ raised their first continental title of any kind. In addition to winning $1.5m for claiming the trophy, the Pretoria-based side will also now represent Africa at December’s Fifa Club World Cup. Pitso Mosimane, who coached South Africa’s national team from 2010 to 2012, is the first South African to lead a Champions League-winning side.
Fikile Mbalula, South Africa’s Sports Minister attended the game in Alexandria, and he believes Sundowns’ victory will inspire their league rivals to take the competition more seriously.
On Monday, both the South African government and President Jacob Zuma congratulated the Sundowns through their Twitter accounts.
