Themba Zwane on World Cup test as Mamelodi Sundowns depart for USA

The Brazilians will face Korean outfit Ulsan HD at the Inter&Co Stadium later this month in Group F, which also includes Borussia Dortmund of Germany as well as Fluminense from Brazil. 

Speaking to FIFA TV as the hype around the World Cup builds up, the midfielder believes Sundowns will come out of the newly expanded 32-team tournament an improved side.

“The excitement will be amazing that side, they really love football, they support so obviously it will be fully packed. It will be a nice thing for us as players to play in that stage,” Zwane said.

“It’s exciting as a player to go in such a tournament and obviously you want to be playing in that high level and try to see how far can you go and check how far you are as a player and try to compete with the best.”

READ: Banyana Banyana striker Hilda Magaia shares recovery update

This will be Zwane’s second Club World Cup following Downs’ debut in 2016 and the skipper insists they are not there to make up the numbers.

He adds they will not be pushovers against Ulsan or Dortmund.

“Obviously we are gonna watch them, we’ve been watching them, they are a good team, they have good players. We respect them but we don’t fear them and yeah, we are gonna go there and play our football, try to win the game and match them in terms of quality and the pace of the game,” he added.

On Fluminense, who are from the country Sundowns emulate with their style and colours, Zwane suggested this could be the clash both teams look forward to the most.

“It’s gonna be an interesting one, they are skillful, they know football and they enjoy football. They are happy whenever they play football, so it’s gonna be an exciting game when we meet there.”