Pretoria News

‘Ambassador’ Mabunda hopes Sundowns can clinch top-eight title

MIHLALI BALEKA mihlali.baleka@inl.co.za

MAMELODI Sundowns legend Tiyani ‘Sugar’ Mabunda is content with all that he’s achieved during a glittering career that spanned over a decade, saying he’s looking forward to his new role of being the Brazilians’ club ambassador.

After making his professional breakthrough at hometown club Black Leopards 11 years ago, Mabunda grew in leaps and bounds that he caught the eye of Sundowns scouts two years later – uniting with coach Pitso Mosimane at the club.

He wasn’t an instant fit in the Sundowns engine room.

He was shipped out to Free State Stars for the 2014/2015 season, but he used the experience to fine-tune his game.

Upon his return, Mabunda became a colossal figure for the Brazilians, helping them clinch multiple championships, including four league titles, the CAF Champions League crown, CAF Super Cup and several domestic trophies.

However, with young blood integrated into the team after Rhulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi took over from Mosimane last season, Mabunda fell down in the pecking order.

But the club rewarded him for his contribution, appointing him as an ambassador after his retirement.

The 33-year-old looks back at his glittering career with glee, saying that he’s achieved all that he had wished for himself.

“Honestly, I’ve been having this thought for many, many years. I believe that God has given me a chance to maximise my talent and reach heights that not everyone has managed to reach,” reflected the former defensive engine-room maestro.

“To reach that and acquire whatever I’ve acquired can only be by the hand of God. I felt in my spirit that whatever I wanted to achieve as a footballer, God made me achieve. Now I believe God has called me into a different assignment.”

Mabunda added: “I am one person who loves a challenge. I’ve been placed in a different department and I need to excel the same way I did as a footballer. I believe this is the time for God to do whatever that he wants to do with me.”

Mabunda won almost every trophy up for grabs on the continent, except for the MTN8. Despite dominating local football for almost a decade, the Wafa Wafa cup eluded Sundowns.

But with the CAF calendar tweaked in the past two seasons, Sundowns have been given a chance to focus on local football. This season their fortunes could change in the most rewarding domestic cup competition in the land.

SPORT

en-za

2021-10-15T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-15T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://pretorianews.pressreader.com/article/282673280510152

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