A FIFA tactical expert has praised Mamelodi Sundowns’ performance at the FIFA Club World Cup.
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Last week, the Betway Premiership champions were eliminated from the global spectacle after they were held to a 0-0 draw against Fluminense. They were the final African side to be knocked out of the competition. While their tournament ended prematurely, Sundowns were the best-performing CAF side, collecting four points and earning plaudits from the global football fraternity.
Sundowns showcased their regular expansive, free-flowing football at the tournament, catching the eye of FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) member Tobin Heath. Heath is a former United States women’s national team player with 181 caps and, for the Club World Cup, worked alongside legendary manager Arsene Wenger, Brazilian icon Gilberto Silva, and former German striker Jurgen Klinsmann.
Heath stated that Ka Bo Yellow brought a very versatile style of football that is helping bring more global attention to leagues such as South Africa.
“They [Sundowns] have been absolutely exceptional. They’re inspiring. [There are] different ways of thinking about football and thinking about ways that teams can adapt to this competition,” the 37-year-old told FIFA Media.
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“Overall, I think what we’ve been exposed to is a level of the club competition that we’ve never seen before, where we’re being exposed to different cultures, styles, players – that we haven’t necessarily had the same kind of exposure to – that has made this competition extremely fruitful and inspiring.”
