Sundowns Defender Targets Trophy Redemption Against Pirates
Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana says the Brazilians are determined to make up for last season’s lack of domestic silverware when they face Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final.
Sundowns will meet Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, with Kekana stressing that the club’s mentality is not simply to participate in competitions but to challenge for and win trophies.
“The mentality is that we don’t play competitions just to compete. We play them to dominate,” he said.
“Last season, unfortunately, we didn’t get anything. We didn’t win any trophies locally.
“This season, we’ve given ourselves a chance, especially at the start of the season when we’re still adjusting, to get a local trophy.
“We’re highly motivated, and I think the lads are just eager and ready to go.”
The Brazilians endured a difficult domestic campaign last season, failing to win any of the four major PSL trophies — the Betway Premiership, MTN8, Carling Knockout and Nedbank Cup.
It was the first time since the 2012/13 season that Sundowns had ended a campaign without a domestic trophy.
However, last season was not completely without silverware, as Sundowns lifted the CAF Champions League. Their MTN8 campaign ended in the semi-finals, where they were eliminated by Pirates.
Kekana has won the competition twice — once with SuperSport United and once with Sundowns. His most recent MTN8 triumph came with Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the 2021/22 season, which was also the last time the Brazilians lifted the trophy.
Meanwhile, Kekana revealed that the two-week FIFA international break did not create major preparation problems for Sundowns, despite 13 players being away with Bafana Bafana and Devine Lungu representing Zimbabwe.
“It hasn’t been particularly difficult, considering that even those who were away are part of what our style of play is about,” Kekana added.
“It’s just about those who weren’t playing as regularly, adjusting and getting them on the same level as the ones who have been playing.
“So, it wasn’t too much of a headache to prepare during this international break.”
With most of their international players returning with valuable experience from the break, Sundowns will now turn their full attention to Pirates and the opportunity to begin the season with domestic silverware.
