Read more
'We are catching up. We showed it at home even if it was so difficult to overcome those teams (Ahly and Pyramids),' said the former Bafana Bafana defender.
Lucas Radebe believes Pirates and Sundowns have it on their minds to toppled Pyramids and Al Ahly on Friday. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Lucas Radebe believes it is about time Southern African teams toppled the dominance of North Africa, ahead of the second leg of the Caf Champions League semifinals in Cairo on Friday.
ALSO READ: Kaizer Chiefs ‘keeper wanted in France
Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will head into games against Pyramids FC and Al Ahly respectively, on the back of goalless draws in first leg.
Pirates and Sundowns ‘capable to compete’
The home sides have to be favourites to make it an all Egyptian final.
And the former Bafana Bafana, Kaizer Chiefs and Leeds United central defender says the first legs illustrated how difficult it is to play against North African clubs in these competitions. But he thinks Pirates and Sundowns will have a point to prove.
“I think South African football has showcased that it is capable to compete in big tournaments,” said Radebe.
“I believe you could in see the standard of the games (at home) the difference between North and South (is still there). But we are catching up. We showed it at home even if it was so difficult to overcome those teams (Ahly and Pyramids).
“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.”
There seems to be a healthy circle of success at the moment, where the progress made by Sundowns and Pirates on the continent has helped Bafana Bafana and vice-versa. Hugo Broos’ side finished third at the last Africa Cup of Nations finals, and are now in with a good chance of qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
“We have seen with the past games how consistency has played a role (for Bafana), not just in winning but in bringing the team together,” added Radebe.
‘In a positive moment’
“Now we are all familiar with the names announced for the team.
ALSO READ: Pirates and Sundowns can both still dream of continental glory
“The core of the national team has always come from the big clubs (like Sundowns and Pirates). And (there is) the manager we have and the support from the organisation (Safa). It is not only on the field it goes back behind the scenes with the organisation and how supportive they are.
“I definitely believe we are in a positive moment to get somewhere.”
Download our app
