African champions Mamelodi Sundowns FC delivered a second-half turnaround to beat German side RB Leipzig 3–1 at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday night, closing out the RB Leipzig RE KAOFELA South Africa Tour with a high-energy football and culture spectacle. RB Leipzig took the lead in the first half through Samba Konaté, but Sundowns responded after the break with a dominant performance in front of a lively Pretoria crowd to secure a memorable victory.
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The result capped a celebratory moment for Sundowns following their recent CAF Champions League triumph, further reinforcing their status as one of the continent’s leading clubs.
Football meets culture in Diski Last Namba experience
The match formed part of the Red Bull Diski Last Namba activation, which blended football with music, youth culture and entertainment. Fans were also treated to a halftime performance from Red Bull athlete and spinning talent Samkeliso Thubane, who brought high-energy car spinning culture to the stadium.
The tour also followed the announcement of Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena joining the Red Bull athlete family, a milestone that reflects the growing global recognition of South African football talent.
Rômulo Cardoso on Goals, Pressure and Adapting in South Africa
Ahead of the match, RB Leipzig striker Rômulo Cardoso spoke exclusively to Men’s Health about his early experiences on tour, adapting to South Africa, and his mindset as a developing forward.
Finding Early Moments of Pride
Cardoso reflected on key milestones in his early RB Leipzig career, pointing to his breakthrough moments as defining memories so far. “Honestly, scoring my first goal at home was my favourite moment,” he said. “And also when we achieved our goal of qualifying for the Champions League. Those were good moments.”
The Brazilian striker also opened up about enjoying the South African climate and culture during the tour. “It’s so good here. I enjoy the weather, it’s like Brazil,” he said. “In Germany, it is too cold, but here we can enjoy the weather.” He also praised the warmth of local supporters. “The people here are good and always happy. They are dancing and they show their skills with the ball. I am very happy to be here and I want to enjoy the match.”
Respecting Sundowns and Embracing the Challenge
Looking ahead to facing Sundowns, Cardoso acknowledged the scale of the challenge against the African champions. “They are the winners of the Champions League in Africa, so it is going to be a tough game,” he said. “We have to respect them.” He also pointed to the atmosphere during the open training session as a sign of what to expect. “The fans were amazing, singing and dancing. I hope it is like this again today.”
As a centre forward, Cardoso was clear about what mattered most to him on the pitch. “I always want to score,” he said. “I want to show myself to the African fans and show how I can play.” When asked what a perfect performance would look like, he replied with a smile.“A hat trick and one assist. That would be perfect.”
Playing Style and Areas of Growth
Cardoso described himself as a hardworking striker focused on team contribution. “I am a working guy. I always want to help the team and score goals.” He also shared specific areas he is working on to improve. “I need to use my arms more and improve my heading. These two things can make a big difference at a high level.”
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On dealing with goal droughts, Cardoso stressed the importance of perspective. “When goals do not come, it is a difficult time for a striker,” he said. “But if the team is winning, you are still doing good work. It is better the team wins than just you scoring.”
Sundowns Complete Comeback To Close Out Tour
On the pitch, Sundowns delivered the final statement of the tour, overturning the deficit with a strong second-half display to seal a 3–1 win. The RB Leipzig RE KAOFELA South Africa Tour concluded, having brought together football, community engagement and entertainment across multiple activations, with Diski Last Namba at Lucas Moripe Stadium standing out as the headline moment.
For both clubs, the night was more than just a friendly. It was a showcase of global football connection, rising talent and the growing cultural bridge between Europe and African football.
