As Mamelodi Sundowns prepares to take on the best clubs in the world at the FIFA Club World Cup, assistant coach Steve Komphela has emphasized the importance of representing Africa on the global stage.

Sundowns will be joining Al Ahly, Esperance Sportive de Tunis, and Wydad as the continent’s representatives in the prestigious tournament.

Komphela believes that the Club World Cup is more than just a football competition; it’s an opportunity for African teams to showcase their skills and style of play to the world.

“It does matter (to play a good football) and this is bigger than football, not only bigger but deeper than football,” he said.

“I don’t want to be controversial, but I have to be very realistic; we are going to the Club World Cup, and it’s going to be a lot of clubs available there.

“Maybe one must throw a question to audit, but let’s check where the world is with regards to how many typical Africans or black coaches will be there.”

Komphela’s comments highlight the lack of representation of African coaches at the highest level of the sport. However, he believes that Sundowns’ participation in the tournament can help pave the way for more African coaches and players to break into the global stage.

“It also points not only to the players or the game but to the coaches that they have to be a platform created for African coaches to enjoy the highest and the biggest stages in the world.”

As Sundowns prepares to take on the likes of Dortmund, Fluminense, and Ulsan in Group F, Komphela is clear about the team’s objectives.

“We also need to tell all players coming from Africa, not only those playing for African countries but throughout the world, that let’s go out there and embrace this as a World Cup,” he admitted.

“This is a World Cup and the only difference is that it’s a Club World but the mandate is the same, we are going to sell an African product and we are going to compete with the rest of the world.”

Komphela emphasized that Sundowns is not just representing the club, but the entire African continent.

“But we, as Africans, what are we bringing to the table? It should not be Mamelodi Sundowns going out to the Club World to compete, but it should be the African team,” added.

“The reason why I’m saying this is because other countries from Europe, America, Asia, and other regions, when they profile us, they don’t profile us as Sundowns but as Africans.” 

The former Kaizer Chiefs coach believes that Sundowns will be judged based on their African identity and style of play.

“They check the qualities and strengths of the African team, and they go deeper into the details of every one. We cannot move away that we are Africans and our qualities and strengths will forever remain that we are Africans.”

As the tournament approaches, Komphela is confident that Sundowns will make a strong impression on the global stage.

“So, as we go out there, we are going to refer to what African football is all about, and we could not be far from how Africans play,” Komphela said.

“All African teams that are not going to the Club World Cup are going to be represented by us, and we are going to make sure that we represent them well.”

With their unique style of play and African identity, Sundowns are poised to make a lasting impact at the FIFA Club World Cup. As Komphela said, “We are going to sell an African product and we are going to compete with the rest of the world.”

The world will be watching, and Sundowns will be ready to showcase the best of African football.