Ex-Orlando Pirates coach makes bold statement about Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of Caf Champions League final against Pyramids FC - 'All North African teams fear Masandawana'

Former Orlando Pirates co-head coach Fadlu Davids has said South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns are feared by clubs from North Africa.

Recently, Masandawana defied odds to eliminate two tough opponents in the Caf Champions League to book a place in the final.

"I think you've got to give a huge credit to Dr. Patrice Motsepe because when he bought the club, it was his vision to dominate Africa," Davids said on the Mike Morton Talks Football YouTube channel, as quoted by KickOff.

"We felt it when we were at Raja Casablanca that every player would want to play for Mamelodi Sundowns," he added.

"In North Africa, all the teams fear Sundowns, and that is what they've built over this period from Mosimane's time until now."

The Simba SC coach also believes that Sundowns are capable of doing well in the upcoming Fifa Club World Cup that will start in June.

"In the Club World Cup, they are playing against bigger teams, and I think the coach is probably the right one for them at the moment to play this certain style that is not normally the free-flowing Sundowns style," he stated. 

"They have got good players that can score goals at any moment; that is why they will be more successful and maybe win the Caf Champions League and make us proud in the Club World Cup as well."

Sundowns navigated their way to the Champions League final by beating North African titans Espérance in the quarterfinal and Al Ahly in the semifinal.

Al Ahly are perennial continental champions, and the fact that Masandawana held them to a 1-1 draw in the second leg in Cairo was a testament that the Premier Soccer League giants can take on anyone anywhere.

In the final, the Tshwane giants will face another North African club, Pyramids FC, which eliminated Orlando Pirates.

Davids has a chance to test his side against a North African team when Simba meet RS Berkane in the Confederation Cup final.

The Brazilians are currently focused on defending the PSL title and, indeed, are closer to claiming the eighth straight title.

On May 14, Downs will be hosted by Chippa United before the next game against Magesi FC on May 18.

On May 24 and June 1, they will engage Pyramids in a two-legged final, with the first leg scheduled to take place in Pretoria.