Mamelodi Sundowns have been showered with praise for their showing at the FIFA Club World Cup despite the Tshwane giants' campaign coming to an end at the group stage.
Sundowns’ group opponents came from three continents and came in all placed above them in the ranking system used for the competition by FIFA.
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Yet they had little trouble getting past Ulsan HD from Asia, then showed bravery against Europeans Borussia Dortmund, before standing up to the challenge of 2023 South American champions Fluminense.
"I think Sundowns played very well throughout the competition and not just in this one game (against Fluminense)," Ricardo Nascimento tells KickOff.com.
Nascimento remains the longest-serving Brazilian at the Chloorkop-based club through the PSL era years.
"Sundowns have now showed the world that South Africa has a good team.
"They have showed the world that they have very good players," says Nascimento.
Former Bidvest Wits striker Pepe de Jesus shared the same sentiments from Sao Paulo.
"Sundowns have now showed the world what we have always been telling people here in Brazil about South African football.
"I have been following the Club World Cup and rooting for Sundowns," he notes.
Ex-Moroka Swallows midfielder Igor Alves, who is at the World Cup with the biggest club in Brazil – Flamengo - was just as impressed.
"Congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns.
"They had a great campaign and missed out on advancing by just a few details.
"I have been following them and knew what they were capable of because I played in South Africa, but for the rest of the world it was a pleasant surprise.
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"It is great to see African football gaining strength, especially South African football," says Alves.
"For me, it might pleasantly surprise other people around the world, but Sundowns can even play in the Brazilian Serie A, case closed," adds Freitas Camilo, who once had a stint with Orlando Pirates.
Photo: Eurasia Sport Images
