Lucas Radebe has explained why he believes the possibility of an all-Mzansi CAF Champions League final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates should spur the two giants on.
Sundowns and Pirates are set to play the second legs of their Champions League semi-finals on Friday, with a chance to set up a historical all-South African final next month.
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The Brazilians have the unenviable task of defeating Al Ahly at the Cairo International Stadium, while the Soweto giants will be hoping to get past a tricky Pyramids at the 30 June Stadium.
"I think South African football has showcased that it is capable of competing in big tournaments," Radebe told journalists at the unveiling of CAF's new logistics sponsor in Sandton on Wednesday.
"I believe you could see the standard of the games (in the first legs), the difference between North and South. But we are catching up. We showed it at home, even if it was so difficult to overcome those teams.
"We have to believe in ourselves, we can’t always put ourselves second. At some point, we have to say we have toppled these teams, and I think this is what is on the minds of Pirates and Sundowns.
"Sundowns have been there, they know what needs to happen in order to get to the finals. To lift that trophy.
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"And for Pirates, I think they need that second star on the jersey, and I believe these boys believe in themselves and cause a big upset," says the former Kaizer Chiefs defender who has just been named as Leeds United's global ambassador.
Al Ahly v Sundowns kicks off at 18:00, while the other semi-final gets underway some kilometres away two hours later.
