After registering their first victory in the first leg of the quarter finals in the African Football League, Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking to finish the story with another victory when they host their counterparts, Petro de Luanda, on Tuesday evening in the second leg of the quarter finals.
With only two days to prepare for the second leg, Coach Rulani stated that the encounter between the two sides will not be an easy one, even though they will be heading into the clash with an upper hand.
“We anticipate a very difficult second leg against a very good team. We worked very hard and got a hard-earned victory against Petro de Luanda in Angola. It was the 5th time we visited Angola, and it was the first time we came back with a win, so I’m extremely proud of the players for their performance, fighting spirit, brotherhood and unity they showed throughout the match,” he said.
Masandawana have been working on a tight schedule and the Johannesburg-born tactician has expressed his pride towards his side and the amount of work they have done.
“We are playing well and we are winning games. We have come under a lot of criticism. I have suffered greatly, but not like the players, in the past three to four weeks. Like I always say, I give a lot of praises and credit to the players. They work hard and they understand that to be a top player, you have to be a top football player for 40-60 games and that’s what’s happening worldwide,” Coach Rulani expressed.
When asked about what he thinks of the quality of the new league, Coach Rulani concluded by speaking highly of it and the quality it brings to African Football. He said: “last night I spent most of the night catching up on the games. I watched Al Ahly and Simba and I thought it was an exceptional game. I thought the standard was very high. I watched Wydad and Es Tunis struggle. I saw Enyimba FC putting an outstanding performance. I saw a very physical TP Mazembe and of course when you go to a competition of this stature, it makes sense to only have a select few who are the best in the continent, therefore the standard is very high.”
Mamelodi Sundowns do clash with Petro de Luanda in the second leg of the quarter finals in the African Football League on Tuesday evening at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Kick off is at 19h00
Do we hv to wait for 22H00 to watch a game that already has a result, this is taking away all the love for this AFL
Mvala is a very lucky guy!! Even if caused a penalty or scored an own goal!! His position is secure!! He is in the starting line up the next match!! He crowds off the left footed Centre backs because he is right footed!! Good luck Rhulani with favouratism!!
thanks for giving sirino game time after resolving with team. we need television coverage
Ja i have a problem, why our top players are missing one on one with goalkeepers, really one on one but you are a top player, ok i had a ticket that was waiting for that game ONLY and i lost R10600. i could have cashed out R4000, but i believed this team can make it.
This thing of favoritism is starting to annoy us.The whole Sundowns family can’t suffer because of Rulani and his favorite son.Other players and Downs staff members can’t miss out on big bonuses in December because of Rulani’s favoritism.How many more must we endure the pain because of one player?I read even in Ivory Cost he made a costly mistake and was bailed out by Williams,enough is enough.We are very much fortunate because God loves Sundowns,i remember in 2016 we had the same problem with Pitso and Rama Mphahlele and fortunate he got long term injury and we won Champions league,Telkom cup and the league.Happy that Mvala will be out for the rest African Football League. Goodluck against Ahly.
Rhulani, Rhulani r u sure that u can take us to the promised land?If asked me I don’t think so.U like to complicate things what is wrong in pairing Boutouil and Mvala in central defence and stop exposing them in your exploring/experimenting ways.Mashego&Lunga r there why Boutouil is pitted against pacy and fast wingers at left back. Why is Mvala alone as a centre back and exposing him again ti to fast strikers.U r just another Ntseki now ur winning only league games now but approaching cup games I’m not sure.Nku&Maseko r very ordinary but u saw Etiosa Ighodaro scoring 10 goals for Chippa why did loan him again this year?U don’t have strikers now because Ribeiro &Shalulile r injured, really!!!Rhulani..I’m starting to doubt u as a coach of Sundowns you’ve got my vote of no confidence now.I won’t comment about your favoritism because supporters have complained about you a lot and u know what to do..
Guys, Rhulani has only lost one game in 50….you could you guys be asking for me…it is beyond greed…you guys more bias than you claim Rhulani is…none of you are there during the training sessions…none know the attitude of the players…every player at Sundowns is good enough to play on the day…if I ask 5 of you to pick the lineup…you are likely to pick different players…if Rhulani is bias, atleast it’s informed by what he sees at training…and game tactics…I’m not sure what is you all’s bias informed by….lastly let’s go enjoy the match on Sunday…I’ll be there!!!
Masandawana, i have a great believe in Coach Rulani and remember he lost only twice in 18 months, sometimes we miss clear cut chances not because the players are not good but luck is very important. let us support the coach and the boys, sometimes they annoy us yes but let us support them, we are far infront of Pirates and chiefs,