A win would be a fitting send off for Goldfingers - Kennedy Mweene

Mweene was speaking to SABC Sport at the funeral of Shakoane at the Mamelodi International Assemblies of God church on Tuesday morning.

“Goldfingers” passed away at the age of 74 last week, after succumbing to the ailments caused by a stroke, he suffered a few months ago.

Mweene says only a win would do for The Brazilians at Loftus Stadium tonight (19h30).

"Players were supposed to be resting but we have given oath to Bra Alex because Bra Alex gave his all to Sundowns and us players. So, it's very important for tonight's game to win it as we send him off," he said.

Sundowns, who are in the semifinals of the CAF Champions League, where they will face Moroccan giants and defending champions Wydad Casablanca, are also chasing a 16-team league record 72 points to wrap up their domestic campaign.

Mweene, a former Zambia international goalkeeper and 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winner, has recalled how powerful Shakoane was to him long before he ended up in Chloorkop.

"I think when I was at Free State Stars there's one radio station that they listen to, Lesedi FM and you'll find that when Chomane Chomane calls him in the morning, that's when I started to know Bra Alex. When I came to Sundowns I met him personally. He was a great man, humble, and positive. He took new players and made them feel at home," he added.

Having often ushered Sundowns players and officials to media interviews, Shakoane had a very strong bond with the players and the technical team members in particular, and Mweene described him as a father figure.

"It's a great loss, not only to Sundowns but to the country as a whole. We'll miss him. As Sundowns players we were fortunate that we were able to interact with him on so many occasions. I just feel sorry for the people who are going to come after he's gone because he would empower a lot of wisdom to a lot of players."