Sundowns players celebrates lifting the trophy during the African Football League 2023 Final match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Waydad at the Loftus Stadium, Pretoria on the 12 November 2023 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
How Sundowns players are basking in AFL glory
The social media is abuzz with the reaction of some Mamelodi Sundowns players to their latest heroics in the AFL.
Sundowns players celebrates lifting the trophy during the African Football League 2023 Final match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Waydad at the Loftus Stadium, Pretoria on the 12 November 2023 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns players have taken to social media to bask in African Football League AFL glory after outclassing Wydad Casablanca.
The South African.com visited Facebook pages of some of the Sundowns stars, including Themba Zwane. The playmaker Zwane played an instrumental role for Masandawana to lift the inaugural AFL gong. He described their triumph over Wydad Casablanca as historic!
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How did Themba Zwane react to AFL glory?
“A big one. History made! We’re the first-ever African Football League [AFL] champions. Our remarkable journey to triumph has etched a special chapter in football history,” Zwane posted on his official Facebook page @Themba Zwane. The Facebook page for the Bafana Bafana midfielder Zwane has some 171,000 followers.
Even fringe Sundowns’ players such as Abubeker Nasir could also not help but join the AFL party. “History has been made,” the Ethiopian wrote on @Abubeker Nasir to his 148,000 followers.
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Marcelo Allende’s take on Sundowns exploits
Marcello Allende, a midfielder-in-chief for the DStv Premiership kings, also took to his Facebook page @Marcello Allende. “Champions of Africa!!!! This club man; what a dream come true. Best Club in the Africa thank you Masandawana for the support,” the Chilean said.
Decorated goalkeeper Denis Onyango chose to explain the ingredients for the success of the Rulani Mokwena’s men. The second-choice keeper said it was not by sheer accident that Sundowns were the AFL kings.
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What did Denis Onyango say on the heroics?
“Success is not merely a result of luck or innate talent,” the Ugandan wrote. “It’s a product of discipline, unwavering perseverance and the wisdom to extract valuable lessons from your setbacks. Expect to encounter stumbles, falls and failures along the way. They are an inevitable part of the journey. The key is to continue learning from each experience, using them as stepping stones toward your goals. Success is built on this foundation of continuous growth and resilience.”
The veteran keeper then posted a picture of himself, AFL Best Keeper Ronwen Williams and third-choice keeper Riyaad Pieterse. Onyago added: “The Three Musketeers!!! We’re still buzzing about yesterday. See you after the international break.”
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Shalulile and Modiba’s show
Sundowns saw off Wydad Casablanca 2-0 on November 12 2023 and 3-2 on aggregate to win the AFL gong. Peter Shalulile and Aubrey Modiba scored for the hosts at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. The South Africans had lost 2-1 in the final first-leg match played in Morocco last week before overturning the tables in the reverse fixture.
To put the cherry on the cake, Sundowns produced the Best Keeper of the AFL in Williams whereas Thapelo Maseko claimed the Best Player and Top Scorer accolades.
