Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
DEVINE Lunga says hard work finally paid off after he helped Mamelodi Sundowns clinch their second CAF Champions League title.
Lunga conceded a penalty, as his 40th-minute foul handed AS FAR a spot-kick that levelled the final on aggregate on Sunday.
Ronwen Williams then saved the second penalty in the 77th minute.
Teboho Mokoena scored a stunner to seal a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Lunga, who was not having enough game-time, only started after Aubrey Modiba limped off in the first leg. For Lunga, it is the biggest win of his career.
“I am happy, because of the people who support me. Even when things were not looking good for us at some point.
“I was shocked to learn that several people still believed in me and backed me through the entire match.
“The only thing that put me on this level is hard work. It wasn’t easy for us, but I feel so awesome.
“There’s another star on this logo. I want to say congratulations to myself, the guys, and the team.
“It is also the experience I wish to take back to the national team. The courage, the will to keep on fighting and believing in winning.”
Lunga felt that by winning the final, it was their own way of thanking the team owners and leadership
“We did return a favour to the club. Everyone was saying, ‘Guys, we want this.’ And it wasn’t easy, we kept going to quarter-finals, semi-finals, finals, and coming back home with nothing.
“But now we came back home with something.
“Our fans are going to be happy and we want to cherish the star with them.”
On the challenge of balancing competitions next season Lunga said it’s going to be difficult.
“This season is going to be hard for us because we will be balancing like this. But I think it’s a good thing.”
