Mamelodi Sundowns aim to retain CAF Champions League crown, says Aubrey Modiba

Aubrey Modiba says Mamelodi Sundowns are determined to defend their CAF Champions League title and earn another opportunity to compete in the Fifa Intercontinental Cup.

The South African side beat Al-Ahli Saudi 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday to win the Fifa African-Asia-Pacific Cup, securing their progress to the next stage of the tournament.

Sundowns will face the winner of the derby of the Americas between Mexican club Toluca, the Concacaf Champions Cup holders, and the yet-to-be-crowned 2026 Conmebol Libertadores champions in the semi-final.

“For us, it is important to take part in these tournaments because, as a team, we always want to perform well in them, and I am pleased that we managed to win,” full-back Modiba told the media.

“Hopefully, we will compete in more of these tournaments in future as well. Winning the Champions League puts you in a good position, so we have to make sure we defend our trophy on the continent and come back here again.

“We still have the Super Cup and another match in the Intercontinental as well, so we have to make sure we always perform well and continue to take part in these kinds of games.”

Modiba, 31, believes the Fifa Intercontinental Cup is also helping African football and South African players reach a wider audience. More than 200 countries watched Sundowns’ match against Al-Ahli Saudi.

“It is a great thing for people around the world to learn about African football, especially South Africa,” he said.

“I do not think many people were familiar with it, but with us participating in the World Cup, people know more about us than before. Now we just have to maintain that by continuing to play in these tournaments.

“It feels great and gives our talents exposure as well. We now have players moving abroad because they are being seen by other clubs.”

Midfielder Teboho Mokoena said Sundowns had performed at a level that justified a meeting with holders Paris Saint-Germain in the final.

“We want to play against PSG now. I think we have set the standards, and that is where we deserve to be,” Mokoena told the club’s media department.

Sundowns’ next fixture is the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates on October 10, following the international break.