“Shoe Shine and Piano” to the World

“SHOE SHINE AND PIANO”

TO THE WORLD.

PLAYERS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS

AHEAD OF NEXT YEAR'S FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Author: Natashe Hove

As the FIFA Club World Cup approaches in 2025, Mamelodi Sundowns is gearing up to make their mark on the global stage. With their unique brand of attacking football, dubbed "Shoe Shine and Piano," the Tshwane giants are poised to showcase their skills against the world's elite. In an exclusive interview with our digital magazine team, Sundowns players shared their thoughts on their historic qualification, their chances, and their mentality as they prepare to take on the best in the world.

Club Captain, Themba ‘Mshishi’ Zwane shared his thoughts on the historic qualification to the Digital Magazine Team.

"We are not going there to just add numbers. We are highly motivated to go to the FIFA Club World Cup and compete, playing our brand of football against the best teams in the competition.” the captain remarked. "It's a stage that every professional player would want to show their talent and skill and gauge their standard.”

Zwane also highlighted the recent AFCON tournament experience, where 11 Sundowns players represented their national teams, as a valuable preparation for the global stage.

"Our experience in AFCON showed us the standard and quality of continental talent, and we adjusted well. We played against players that play club football in Europe and you could see the standard and quality of football in the tournament. We're ready, but still growing and improving."

The "Shoe Shine and Piano"

The United States promises to offer the perfect backdrop for this blockbuster tournament, where elite teams from across the globe will converge to vie for the prestigious title of world champion. Mamelodi Sundowns will undoubtedly look to bring their iconic "Shoe Shine and Piano" style of play to the global stage at the FIFA Club World Cup. This unique brand of attacking football, characterised by quick, short passes and fluid movement, has drawn comparisons to the revered Spanish Tiki-taka and Total Football philosophies.

As Bafana Ba Style faces off against the world's elite, they are poised to showcase their signature football- a fusion of South African flair and European tactical prowess. With their shoe shine flair and piano-like precision, Sundowns is ready to prove that their brand of football is not only aesthetically pleasing and entertaining but also capable of competing against the best in the world.

Having played in France and Belgium, Brazilian magician Lucas Ribeiro Costa had a few words to say about the team’s focus going into the countdown to the FIFA Club World Cup.

"I'm very excited and happy about the opportunity to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup," said Ribeiro. "Few players get this chance, especially to compete against big European clubs. I can't wait to showcase our talent on the global stage."

Tashreeq Matthews, a Borussia Dortmund academy graduate who has enjoyed a solid start to his Mamelodi Sundowns career, also weighed in on the global tournament.

“Participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is a big moment for me and my teammates. We'll be facing some of the biggest clubs in the world, and it's a fantastic opportunity to showcase our style of play and abilities."

Matthews, who played in the UEFA Youth League, understands the mentality of top European teams and looks forward to testing himself on one of the biggest possible stages for an international footballer. "We're excited and ready for the challenge. I’m eager to see how I measure up against the toughest defenders in the world.”

As Sundowns face off against the world’s elite, they carry with them the hopes and dreams of South Africa, determined to leave an indelible mark and elevate their status on the world stage.

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