Wayne Arendse says Sundowns Champions League win was long overdue

Masandawana were crowned African champions on Sunday evening following a 1-1 draw against AS FAR, however, they finished the tie with a 2-1 aggregate score, which was enough to lift the coveted trophy.

Speaking exclusively to SABC Sport, Arendse credited the club's management, technical team and players for all the hard work they have put in behind the scenes.

"It's an exciting moment for the club and for all Sundowns supporters. I think it's long overdue. To finally see it pay off is a good feeling because you can see how persistent this team is. 

"They were knocked out in the semis then they were knocked out in the final, but they kept on going and they kept on signing new players because they really wanted it."

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It has been exactly a decade since the Brazilians won the CAF Champions league and Arendse, who featured in that final in 2016, says the victory last night brought back memories. 

He added that it was good to see Themba Zwane and Denis Onyango lift the trophy again, two players that were part of the class of 2016 that won the Champions League under the tutelage of coach Pitso Mosimane

 The 41-year-old has also commended goalkeeper Ronwen Williams who convinced head coach Miguel Cardoso to bring on club captain Themba Zwane so that he could also live the moment…

Arendse is convinced coach Miguel Cardoso has caught “The big one”, a trophy the club has been chasing for ten years despite injuries and a tight schedule. He is also sure that the mentor will carry the team into the next season as well. 

"It's difficult for him because he had to deal with injuries and a lot of games in a short space of time, but I think he got the big one and this is the one Sundowns have been chasing for ten years. Some people will say he didn't win anything domestically but if he had to choose because you can't win everything, I'm sure he would've chosen to win the Champions League."