Exclusive: Thabo Nthethe Tips Sundowns for MTN 8 Progress After Club World Cup Campaign

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Thabo Nthethe believes that Sundowns will beat Richards Bay in the quarterfinals of the MTN 8 this coming weekend, as they are fresh from the FIFA Club World Cup, the biggest club tournament in the world.

Sundowns to progress

Mamelodi Sundowns might have had an early exit from the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States of America during the off-season; however, they had some stellar performances in that competition.

Their 4-3 loss against European giants Borussia Dortmund was a massive statement as they showed heart and skill against one of the biggest clubs in world football.

It is because of the nature of the campaign that Sundowns had that former defender, Thabo Nthethe, believes that they will have the upper hand against Richards Bay at the Lucas Moripe Stadium this coming Sunday.

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.co.za, Nthethe detailed that Sundowns are coming into the fixture with sharp minds as compared to Richards Bay, who have had a relatively less competitive off-season.

"This game, I will give it to Sundowns. Why? Because not long ago, they were playing a very competitive tournament in the US, and I think the legs are still there, the desire is still there," Nthethe told SportsBoom.co.za. 

"I think the players still have the hunger, and also the coach, I think he's still emphasising to the players that they need to start from the beginning because last season didn't do well. They never even went to the final of the MTN 8. So, it's one of the things that didn't go well for them last season because they only won the league."

"I was happy with the decision that the team took to keep coach Miguel Cardoso. So, I foresee them winning this game as much as I want the small teams to do well. I foresee Sundowns progressing to the semi-finals." 

Richards Bay Chances

Despite handing Mamelodi Sundowns the upper hand, Nthethe recognises the success that Richards Bay have had since they earned promotion to the country's top-flight division, the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

The KwaZulu-Natal-based team earned promotion to the PSL and has competed in three full seasons, earning a spot in the top eight of the league for the first time last season.

Nthethe emphasised that Richards Bay now need to take their performances to the next level as they have already proven that they are able to hold their ground against the country's top teams.

"I think Richards Bay are one of the teams that got promoted to the top flight, and since they've arrived in the PSL, they've done well. I think now it's high time for them to compete and make sure that when they play against big teams, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Sundowns, they need to get positive results," said Nthethe.

"I think whoever actually goes to Richards Bay and coaches there, he needs to go with that mentality of wanting to win trophies, because I believe it doesn't matter who you play against. They just need to go out and apply themselves and capitalise on the chances that they will create."

"If you have a team that is willing to win, who are training properly, who, when analysing opponents, you sit down with everyone, the technical and players as well, to understand and see the weakness of the team because I believe video analysis is very important nowadays."

The Mamelodi Sundowns vs Richards Bay fixture is set to get underway at 6 pm SAST.