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Tiyani living his dream

Tiyani Mabunda of Sundowns, seen here winning the ball from John Chingandu of Zambia's Zesco United, says he's looking forward to the Fifa Club World Cup, which his club would secure if they overcome Zamalek on Sunday. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Tiyani Mabunda of Sundowns, seen here winning the ball from John Chingandu of Zambia's Zesco United, says he's looking forward to the Fifa Club World Cup, which his club would secure if they overcome Zamalek on Sunday. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

There are a couple of things Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Tiyani Mabunda would have to tick off on his to-do list.

The first one, of course, is to win the CAF Champions League title and Sundowns already have one hand on the trophy after the 3-0 first-leg final victory over Zamalek in Atteridgeville last weekend.

The other thing the Limpopo-born midfielder would love to tick off is playing against Real Madrid midfielders - Luka Modric and Toni Kroos - at the Fifa Club World Cup in December.

To qualify for the Club World Cup, Sundowns need to win the Champions League on Sunday. Once they are there, they need to get to the final to have a shot at playing against Zinedine Zidane's Madrid side.

"The one player I used to look at at Real Madrid is Xabi Alonso. But now, looking at the players who play in my position, I would like to play against Modric and Kroos. They are playing at the highest level," said Mabunda.

"I have always wanted to compete against the best players in the world. If you win the [domestic] league, you want to win the Champions League. Then when you win the Champions League, you want to win the Club World Cup. Everything I have prayed for is falling into place."

Mabunda has been key to Sundowns' journey to the final, having memorable games against Zamalek away from home in the group stages and against Zesco United in the second leg semifinal at home. A winner's medal will be the best reward for the hard work he continues to put in.

"When the president [Patrice Motsepe] bought the team, he said he wanted to conquer Africa. To be at a stage where we can please the president is a blessing.

"We have a chance to win the cup ... God has planned all of this. Being in the final is a big step in my career."

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