Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Tiyani Mabunda has reflected on the club falling short in its defence of the CAF Champions League title back in 2017.
Mabunda was part of the Masandawana side which famously won the club's first major continental trophy in 2016 when they defeat Egyptian giants Zamalek to win the coveted CAF Champions League trophy.
Sundowns followed that triumph up with victory in the CAF Super League the following year but were ultimately unable to retain their African crown after being eliminated at the hands of eventual champions Wydad Casablanca in the 2017 quarter-finals.
"It was a bit difficult for us to defend our title after winning the Champions League, which is in most cases to be expected," Mabunda said in the latest episode of Teko Tiyani Talk!
"Now you know that you've done it and that you've got the formula, but our opponents now also know how we won it and they prepare properly compared to how they would have when we won it.
"I think it was a bit difficult because we also had pressure on ourselves to prove that we can win it again, because we felt like now we had the formula. To our surprise, people had studied us and had more knowledge of how we played, more knowledge on who are key players are and what their strengths are.
"There were also changes in the team which brings a difference because you want the new players to also find synergy with the experienced players in order to deliver.
"But I was very proud, along the way, unlike the ladies team [who reached the final this year after winning last season], we managed to get to the semi-finals [sic.] but it was really good progress and I think we would really do well to go back to that stage."
Mabunda, who also represented Bafana Bafana on nine occasions, retired in 2021 at the age of 33 and has since assumed a role as a club ambassador for Mamelodi Sundowns.
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