A manager in Europe has now insisted that while Mamelodi Sundowns are the best team in Africa, their coach Rulani Mokwena is "arrogant".
Sundowns no longer have continental competition to play this season after they were knocked out of the 2023/24 CAF Champions League at the semi-final stage by Esperance de Tunis.
During the tournament, the South African outfit, alongside Al Ahly, was widely tipped as the favourites to win the CAFCL title, but their journey was cut short by the Tunisian giants, who beat them 1-0 in both the home and away legs of the semi-finals to advance 2-0 on aggregate.
Read: Five World Cup winners who joined Man Utd past their best
Having clinched a seventh DStv Premiership title in a row and a spot at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Masandawana are still viewed as one of the strongest sides on the continent, with former Wydad Casablanca boss Sven Vandenbroeck stating his belief that Downs play at a "European standard".
Get the latest soccer news and be ahead of the game. Follow our WhatsApp Channel via this link!
Speaking on television programme Koura Every Day, per Aajil News, the Belgian tactician also, surprisingly, labelled Mokwena as "arrogant".
"Sundowns is the best team in Africa, not because of the results, but because of the performance it provides in all aspects," Vandenbroeck said.
"I see it as a team with European standards.
"What's wrong with the Sundowns team is that its coach is arrogant, but technically the team is very special.
"If we talk in terms of results, Al Ahly will be the strongest in Africa, of course, because of its results in the past seasons and the championships it won."
Vandenbroeck's comment on Mokwena is quite a contrast to his previous remarks regarding the Bafana Ba Style coach, when he lavished praise on Downs' technical team back in November 2023 during the inaugural African Football League.
"Sundowns was my favourite last year to win the Champions League [last season]. I had never seen such a dominant technical team on the African continent," Vandenbroeck said, according to Goal.
Read: Five African stars who flopped at their new clubs this season
Vandenbroeck was also linked with Kaizer Chiefs job in recent months, but that speculation ended when he agreed to become Belgian side Lierse's newest manager in February.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
