Nuno Santos opens up on Mamelodi Sundowns integration

The Portuguese international struck twice in Sundowns’ 3-1 win in their group stage opener against DR Congo’s Saint Eloi Lupopo at the weekend. 

Santos believes getting off to a winning start in a group that also contains MC Alger of Algeria and Al Hilal of Sudan goes a long way in easing early-stage pressure in continental competition. 

"It feels very good, it was a great performance by the team and the three points is the most important thing that we wanted to get, but also very happy for the individual performance as well," said Santos.

"Integration? Yes, very well, better than I thought. They welcomed me very well as well, and I'm thankful for all the people that are making me feel at home since I came."

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The 26-year-old, who was signed for a reported R20-million, also revealed the reasons why he opted to walk away from Europe for a move to Africa.

"What made me [join]? Because it's the biggest club in South Africa, one of the biggest in Africa – I felt like the club really wanted me, so when you feel that, it's way easier to make those types of decisions," he added.

"And so far so good, I did play against Remo Stars – two games, we did very well in those two games as well, and now in the first game of the group stage, we got our first three points, so I'm very happy for the team."