Sundowns Defender Played Through Pain In Champions League Final

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Keanu Cupido has revealed that he played through pain in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final because the team needed his experience and leadership in defence against Moroccan giants AS FAR at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday.

Sundowns secured a narrow 1-0 victory in Pretoria to take an advantage into the second leg, which will be played in Rabat next weekend as both sides continue their quest for continental glory.

The Brazilians are chasing their second CAF Champions League title after winning the competition in 2016, while AS FAR are also hoping to lift the trophy for a second time, having last won it in 1985.

Cupido’s return came as a major relief for coach Miguel Cardoso after the defender recently suffered a shoulder injury during Sundowns’ 1-1 Betway Premiership draw against Kaizer Chiefs.

The former Cape Town City defender was substituted before the 20-minute mark and replaced by Grant Kekana, with Chiefs eventually finding the back of the net after his departure.

The 28-year-old’s absence was clearly felt by the Brazilians in league matches against Siwelele FC and TS Galaxy, during which the Tshwane giants conceded seven goals in total.

That defensive vulnerability may have influenced Cardoso’s decision to bring Cupido back into the starting line-up for the crucial continental clash despite the defender not being fully fit.

Speaking after the FAR match, Cupido admitted that he was still struggling with pain but felt compelled to play because of the importance of the occasion.

“The shoulder is getting better, I can’t complain. The team needed me on Sunday, and as I said, it is improving,” he said.

“I can’t go into too much detail, but the team needed me and the medical staff did everything they could. Basically, I played this game while still in a lot of pain, but I can’t reveal too many details.”

The defender also opened up about the challenge awaiting Sundowns in Morocco, where they are expected to face an intimidating atmosphere in Rabat during the decisive second leg.

As Sundowns go to the second leg, FAR are unbeaten at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat during this continental campaign, scoring an average of two goals per home match, which highlights exactly why Cupido’s defensive leadership will be tested.

“It is always difficult to play away from home, and the atmosphere we experienced in Tunisia against ES Tunis in the semifinal is something we are expecting again in Morocco,” he added.

“But as a team, we need to go there united and stay together. We know it is not going to be easy, but if we approach the match as a united team, we can win.”

With only one match separating Sundowns from another historic African triumph, Cupido’s determination to play through injury could prove to be one of the defining moments in their quest for continental success.