Time to write our own history - Grant Kekana on CAFCL title chase

By Velile Mnyandu
18th May 2023

With the domestic programme concluded and the Dstv Premiership trophy lifted and safely in Chloorkop, Mamelodi Sundowns switch their focus to the pursuit of the CAF Champions League title this weekend.

The Brazilians defender Grant Kekana says their immediate focus is the semifinal's second leg against Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca.

The two teams meet at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday afternoon (15:00) after having played a goalless draw in Morocco last weekend.

It’s been seven years since Sundowns last won the CAFCL title and also reached the final, Kekana, a former SuperSport United and AmaTuks player is talking about this current generation writing its own history.

"This group of players needs to write its own history and I think we've given ourselves a chance to do that. At the end of the day, it's going to boil down to us and how much we are going to want that second star but it's something that's obviously big in our minds. This is everything that we want, this is the big fish so we are all motivated," he added.

Just after Sundowns head coach Rhulani Mokwena had spoken about how the technical team has worked hard to improve players, Kekana says he’s a living example of that work. He says his game has improved so much that he’s been able to show some potential that he never thought he had.

"I think it's improved a lot because at Sundows everything is specific. The coach goes into detail about everything so it helps you improve elements of your game that you didn't even know were there," he explained.

Following a sterling performance this season, which has seen him taking part in 27 matches in all competitions including seven of the 11 games in the Champions League, Kekana also has his eye on catching the flight to Ivory Coast in January next year as part of Bafana Bafana’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad.

"I think it's just gonna take from my side a lot of consistency to play a lot more. I've been having a lot of niggles that have been interrupting my season. So, I think I'll go back even in the off-season to work on my strength so that I try as much to avoid such niggles. So that it doesn't delay me from being called up to Bafana."