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Mosimane: We have earned respect

Cape Town - Pitso Mosimane feels Mamelodi Sundowns' exploits in this season's CAF Champions League has set an example for the Premiership.

Mosimane says their qualification for the semi-finals of the competition has earned them respect amongst the local football fraternity - while claiming their success can be a turning point for South African football in general.

"The message is for the [players] to have confidence and the message for us as South Africa that it is possible, it is doable," he told reporters.

"The message is that [Orlando] Pirates, [Kaizer] Chiefs and even [Bidvest] Wits can go through to the semi-finals of the Confederation Cup and Champions League.

"There are always two Egyptian teams in the group, there are always two Algerian teams and there are always two Tunisian teams. So we can turn this thing around a little bit and take it to the senior national team [Bafana Bafana]. The U17s, U20s and Banyana are making it.

"We need to look at football differently in South Africa and be positive. Let's fill the stadiums and let's go for it. The message is they [the rest of the continent] must respect South African teams."

As it stands Sundowns will face Zambian outfit Zesco in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

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