‘I think with this group, yes, I can say it’s better but it’s (also) more of the same because of the brotherhood that we have and the understanding,’ said Zwane.
Themba Zwane has echoed the sentiments of Mamelodi Sundowns legend Teko Modise, agreeing that the current squad is stronger than the celebrated class of 2016.
Sundowns’ last Champions League success
Modise, a key figure in Sundowns’ CAF Champions League triumph nine years ago, recently made the comparison ahead of this year’s final against Egypt’s Pyramids FC.
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Zwane, who was also part of that historic side that clinched the club’s first continental crown under then-coach Pitso Mosimane, believes the current team is a level above.
“I think with this group, yes, I can say it’s better but it’s (also) more of the same because of the brotherhood that we have and the understanding,” Zwane said during the captain’s run on Friday.
“I feel like everyone is a leader in this group and you have to put an armband to be a leader but everyone can lead and you see when we play that everyone gives instructions because we understand each other and the love that we give as a team.
“What also helps us is the communication because we do that a lot as players in the change room but mostly like I said it’s the love we have for each other.”
Since Miguel Cardoso succeeded Manqoba Mngqithi five months ago, Masandawana have undergone a remarkable Champions League revival. At one point, they faced the prospect of an early exit after back-to-back draws in the group stage, but have since rallied to mount a strong challenge for the title.
‘Our play makes us happy’
“The coach just updated our play. We are rotating the ball very well. We push the teams that we play against to one side and then switch the ball,” Zwane concluded.
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“We wait for the right moments to penetrate. Our play makes us happy as players. We are playing with joy. We are playing with a smile on our faces.”
