Teko Modise: Brazilians ready to show African flair on global stage

They find themselves on the summit in the "Group of Death".

But can Mamelodi Sundowns continue their winning run when they face off against European giants Borussia Dortmund this Saturday?

It's going to take a mammoth effort, believes former legendary Sundowns midfielder Teko Modise. But he believes that if the team stay true to themselves they can go on to achieve great things at this years FIFA Club World Cup.

Modise says playing against opponents such as Dortmund and Fluminense will be a game-changer, stressing that facing many different types of opponents will strongly push Mamelodi Sundowns to grow and improve.

“Playing against all those different teams with different philosophies will definitely challenge Mamelodi Sundowns to elevate not just their game but their approach as well. They’ll have to learn to deal with new challenges that maybe they’ve never faced before, the speed of Dortmund, the possessional emphasis of Fluminense since Sundowns are used to being the dominant ones when it comes to possession."

This shows that the team needs to change their tactics, especially since they usually control the ball with their famous "Shoe Shine & Piano" style, Modise believes.

The tournament puts Mamelodi Sundowns in what many call the "Group of Death," along with German giants Borussia Dortmund and South American champions Fluminense. They started off their Club World Cup journey on a winning note, as they defeated K League team Ulsan on Wednesday, in the early hours of the morning.

Now they prepare to face off against the big guns, in Dortmund and Fluminense.

Modise's believes Sundowns will face "new challenges" in the Club World Cup and that it would teach the team to "unlearn bad habits", so ultimately the tournament is valuable for more than just winning games. “The experience itself will teach them a lot, making the team and individual players better at their game and how they play. Seeing difficulties as valuable lessons helps manage expectations while also showing the club's goal to grow and adapt at the highest levels of football.”

Modise also believes that Sundowns players will grow personally from their experience at the Club World Cup. He believes playing against strong, unfamiliar opponents makes players improve their skills. "The fact that you’ll be facing opponents that you wouldn’t normally do makes the challenges more interesting. For individual players it’s all about learning and improving your game.”

Going deeper, Modise talks about the mental and tactical changes needed in a tournament of this magnitude. "Such high profile opposition forces one to unlearn bad habits that you mostly get away with because of the regular opponents you face. It triggers your mental and physical challenges you definitely going to face. It is only then that you find solutions for whatever issues you may face as a team or individual. This means they need to be flexible, strong, and able to find answers under a lot of pressure.”

Even though they need to adapt, Modise adds that it is important however that Sundowns stick to their main way of playing: “You have to play your own game regardless."

He also believes that Sundowns' recent wins in Africa give them a solid base for their exploits in the Club World Cup. "The experience of continental success will help them remember the importance of working as a collective, believing in each other’s abilities and trusting the work that has been put into their game."

For Modise, Sundowns playing in this tournament is more than just about the club; it carries the hopes of all of African football. "The biggest statement that they can possibly make is showing how talented the team is and the type of football they play, continuing with their emphasis of African giants by showing no fear and having the arrogance to win and dominate their opponents, and most importantly by displaying how good African teams and football have grown over the years."

This makes the club's mission bigger than just winning for Mamelodi Sundowns. Because of their unmatched recent success, they are in a unique position to represent African club football. Being placed in a tough "Group of Death" makes this goal even more important.

“The bigger idea is that every pass, tackle, and goal from Sundowns in this tournament will be seen as a sign of African football's standing in the world.”

Modise, who was a master of flair himself, connects his own playing style directly to Mamelodi Sundowns' unique "Shoe Shine and Piano" way of playing. "If there’s one thing we can pride ourselves in, it's the flair and mobility we possess. I’ll play how I would in the streets to try disrupting their rhythm while projecting mine with flair and mobility. Sundowns are not just playing football, but performing an art form that is clearly African and exciting.”

Sundowns' group stage results and fixtures in the FIFA Club World Cup

• Ulsan HD 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
• Mamelodi Sundowns v Borussia Dortmund: Saturday, 21 June: 18:00 (SA time)
• Mamelodi Sundowns v Fluminense: Wednesday, 25 June: 21:00 (SA time)

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