Morena opens up on family support amid relentless football demands ahead of Sunday’s TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final
Mamelodi Sundowns defender Thapelo Morena has highlighted the crucial role that family support plays in helping footballers cope with the pressures of competing at the highest level, particularly in a demanding competition such as the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
Morena was speaking to CAFOnline from the club’s training camp in Johannesburg ahead of Sundowns’ blockbuster first leg final clash against Morocco’s AS FAR at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday.
As a key member of a busy Sundowns squad that is constantly balancing continental football, a demanding domestic schedule as well as national team duty, Morena acknowledged the physical and emotional demands that come with competing for major honours throughout the season and how his support structure helps in navigating this.
“For me it’s sometimes when you come back from the game and just try to wind down and forget a bit about football. It really helps to have my family around me to support. It’s those good moments that always keep me on my toes and I am definitely sure that without them I don’t think I would be where I am today,” he said.
Morena also reflected on how the encouragement he receives from his loved ones continues to motivate him through both good and difficult moments in his career.
“It is the energy they give to me before the games and after the game, irrespective of the result of the team but just giving me the motivation that I need is what has kept me going all these years,” he added.
The Sundowns defender further opened up about the emotional aftermath of last season’s TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final defeat to Pyramids FC, admitting that the support of his family helped him navigate one of the toughest periods of his career.
“To be honest, after we lost the final last year, when I got home it was a very tough situation for me and the family as well but knowing that I have them as a support structure and that I will be spending time with them really makes a difference. They try by all means to give me support,” Morena revealed.
Speaking on the importance of lifting the title after falling short last season, the utility player said the team has the experience of playing in a final now and knows the pain of missing out when they were so close.
“I think we have the feeling of being in a final now. Its not like before when the last time we there was in 2016. So now it is recent and we obviously know the pain of not lifting the trophy when we are so close. So, this is our final push to make sure that we deliver and give our all”
Sundowns will once again look to Morena’s experience and leadership as they aim to take a crucial advantage into next week’s second leg in Rabat, with the Tshwane giants chasing continental glory once more.
Kick-off at Loftus Stadium is at 16h00 (14h00 GMT).