Mokoena: 'Now is the time' – Sundowns star urges teammates to rise to the occasion
Tebogo Mokoena has declared that Mamelodi Sundowns must seize the moment and fulfil their destiny when they face Pyramids FC in the second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final on Sunday.
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Pretoria, the 27-year-old midfielder believes the team now stands on the brink of something special – and insists they cannot let the opportunity slip through their fingers.
Mokoena, a regular fixture in both club and national colours, says this moment has been in the making since he arrived at Sundowns and now carries the weight of a promise made by his coach to win the biggest club trophy in African football.
“I am sure we will give our best and lift the trophy on Sunday,” Mokoena said confidently in an interview with Sundowns TV.
Far from the usual clichés of just another game, Mokoena’s comments reflect a sense of urgency, redemption and unfinished business. A player known for his calmness and passing range, Mokoena admitted the team did not fully show their quality in the opening leg.
“I don’t think Pyramids played against the Sundowns we knew last Saturday. I think we were nervous. In the second half, we came back better, but in the last minute we lost our focus and conceded a goal.”
That lapse has left the tie finely balanced heading into the return leg in Cairo. But Mokoena is not one to dwell on the past.
His focus is on the opportunity ahead – not only for himself and his teammates, but for the fans and the entire club hierarchy who have made CAF Champions League glory a long-term ambition.
“It was very difficult and sad. We thought we would win the match, but things did not go as we planned.”
The midfielder, who played a key role in helping Sundowns eliminate record champions Al Ahly earlier in the tournament, underlined the personal significance of lifting the trophy.
“Winning the title would mean a lot to me because when I signed in January 2022, I made a promise to the club president that we would win the CAF Champions League title.”
With the second leg set to be played in front of a passionate Egyptian crowd in Cairo, Mokoena is aware of the task ahead — but remains unwavering.
“I think the time has come for us to win the Champions League for the club president and our fans. I think everyone deserves the trophy because they always talk about it.”
For Mokoena and Sundowns, Sunday’s final is more than a game. It’s a chance to keep a promise, silence doubts, and reclaim continental supremacy.