ST Eloi Lupopo coach is convinced Mamelodi Sundowns are not a South African team let alone an African one

Salmi Yassine could easily fall for a lie that Mamelodi Sundowns are not a South African club.

The ST ELoi Lupopo assistant coach is of the view that the team from Chloorkop plays a different style of football which separates them from ordinary sides.

“Sundowns is about 50 % Brazilian and 50 % European,” said Yassine on weekend after Sundowns beat them 3-1 at Loftus Versveld in the Caf Champions League encounter.

Yassine is assisting Guy Busaka, who was suspended for the game in South Africa, at Lupopo and he nothing but glowing words for Miguel Cardoso’s side.

His Belgian descent also convinces him Sundowns are above their peers in terms of standard.

“Yeah, like I said, Sundowns is a special club, you know,” he said.

“I’m from Belgium, I see a lot of clubs and meet a lot of things there. I don’t see a difference between Sundowns and clubs in Europe.”

“So what can I say about Sundowns? Sundowns are very difficult to play against. It’s about 50 % Brazilian and 50 % European. If all the clubs come to play against Sundowns, they have to pay attention to this because it’s a big club.”

Sundowns travel to Algeria this weekend where they will face their former coach Rulani Mokwena in their second Caf Champions League match.