Exclusive: Thabo Nthethe Remembers Mamelodi Sundowns’ Golden Era and Issues Warning for Club World Cup

The decorated former Mamelodi Sundowns defender, Thabo Nthethe, having won the club's only CAF Champions League title and having been involved in the club's only FIFA Club World Cup campaign almost a decade ago, warned the 'Ka Bo Yellow' that the Club World Cup is a different beast as the club prepares to fly out to Miami for their second appearance in the competition.

The Golden Era

When tracing the start of Mamelodi Sundowns' dominance of South African football, and to an extent African football, one has to look back to almost a decade ago in 2016 when the likes of Thabo Nthethe donned the yellow and blue colours of Sundowns.

Their dominance in the domestic league in 2016 eventually carried over to the African continent, where they looked promising until they were met with AS Vita Club in the later rounds of the competition.

AS Vita Club knocked them out on the away goal rule. Sundowns had lost 0-1 away from home, won 2-1 at home at Lucas Moripe Stadium, and had to stomach the reality of being knocked out of the tournament that had evaded them for many years.

Having won the league here at home and finishing a trophy parade, the team received a golden call from CAF, a call which saw them return to the Champions League due to AS Vita Club having fielded an ineligible player - Idrissa Traore - against Sundowns.

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom, Nthethe recalled the moment they received the news of their return to the Champions League.

"I remember that season like it was yesterday. It was our third season playing in the Champions League. We had been knocked out by AS Vita, but they called us back because AS Vita used a player who was suspended. When we received the news, we were too busy with the trophy parade, the league trophy," Nthethe told SportsBoom.co.za.

"By then, we had booked holidays and trips with the wives and the girlfriends and stuff for the off-season. I was going with my wife to Dubai for a week. Then after that, we were supposed to go to Turkey, but I only managed to go to Dubai, while my wife went to Turkey alone."

"I had to come back because I had to report for training. That's when we started preparing for the Champions League. Before the first game, we had meetings as players to say this is our second chance. We went out, but then, because of the rules, we are back in the competition."

"We needed to play well as individuals because we wanted to make history. As a player, at the end of your career, you want to be part of the first team that brings the African trophy to Pretoria for the Mamelodi Sundowns badge."

Sundowns were drawn in a group with Zamalek, one of Africa's top clubs, alongside Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates. Despite the steep competition in their group, Nthethe and his teammates brought the trophy to Pretoria for the first time, completing the club's most successful season. 

FIFA Club World Cup

From winning the CAF Champions League, Nthethe and his teammates had to travel abroad for their clash against the Japanese club, Kashima Antlers, and the South Korean club, Jeonbuk Motors. 

Nthethe and his teammates would suffer tournament-ending defeats, as they lost 1-4 against Jeonbuk Motors and 0-2 to Kashima Antlers. 

Though Nthethe didn't get a game at the Club World Cup, he vividly recalls the standard of competition in the tournament.

The 41-year-old spoke highly of his teammates' effort but emphasised that they were simply outplayed by better teams.

"The tempo was something else. It was totally different from South African football. In both games, I didn't play; I was on the bench. However, I could see how these Japanese guys passed the ball; the weight of the pass was heavy, and their first touch was flawless," Nthethe recalled.

"The guys in there, you could tell that it was not easy for them watching from the bench. I remember when we got to the hotel afterwards, the guys were saying it was not easy. The opponents' technique was on another level."

"The tempo was totally different, but the experience was good. But I think the team did well. We tried, but we were playing against the best."

Later this month, Sundowns will fly out to Miami for their second dig at the FIFA Club World Cup as they are drawn in Group F with Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense and South Korean Ulsan HD.