Cupido admits Kekana blow as Sundowns eye CAF final spot

Keanu Cupido of Mamelodi Sundowns during a CAF Champions League semi-final press conference at Chloorkop on Wednesday. Photo: AlcheGreeff/BackpagePix Mamelodi Sundowns defender Keanu Cupido admits that they will feel the absence of Grant Kekana in Saturday’s CAF Champions League semi-final second leg against Espérance at Loftus Versfeld Stadium Kekana, a commanding presence in Miguel Cardoso’s defence, was sent off in the first leg in Tunis where Sundowns edged a tight contest 1-0. His composure and leadership have been key to holding the backline together, whether alongside Cupido or emerging options.

“It’s a big blow because he (Kekana) has years of experience and he has helped us a lot. We will miss him. We have Ndamane who is very young, a very good player and Kegan (Johannes) there as well,” Cupido said.

“We know they can fill the shoes of Grant and heading into the game, they will also need my help because they are not that experienced at this stage of the tournament. “We have been doing well with rotating our centre-backs. Everyone has received opportunities which I think they took well.

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Now there’s an opportunity for another one to fill the spot.” Sundowns are within touching distance of a second successive final and will be determined to go one better after falling short against Pyramids FC in last season’s decider. Cupido believes belief within the squad is growing as they chase a return to the heights of 2016, when the club last lifted the continental crown. “It’s very big for any player in the country to win the Champions League and everyone dreams of winning it and playing for a big team like Sundowns,” he added.

“This is a huge opportunity for every one of us and we need to show our quality as well. Last season we were very close and this season we have another opportunity.

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