Shai believes Sundowns can rise from CAF Champions League disappointment in USA

FORMER MAMELODI SUNDOWNS wingback Isaac Shai believes the Brazilians would have long put the disappointment of losing the CAF Champions League final behind them when they open their FIFA Club World Cup account against South Korea’s Ulsan midnight on Tuesday.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO

The South African champions are one of four clubs from Africa participating in the inaugural 32-team global soccer showpiece in the United States.

Grouped along with the Koreans, Germany’s Borussia Dortmund as well as Fluminense of Brazil, Sundowns are going to be hard-pressed to produce some of their best performances yet to progress into the knockout stage.

And the fact that they were recently denied the chance of adding a second star above their club crest when they lost 3-2 on aggregate to Pyramids FC in Africa's premier club knockout competition, has got many feeling Sundowns will merely add to the numbers in America.

Shai, however, sees things differently: “Anything is possible in football.

MAMELODI Sundowns stars Ronwen Williams and Iqraam Rayners. Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers

Yes it was disappointing that they lost in the Champions league and they would have been hurt by that.

“But they can rise from that and do well at the Club World Cup. They have a strong team and they can compete, I think they will be over that loss when the tournament starts.”