Mamelodi Sundowns have landed in Rabat, Morocco for the semi-final game in the CAF Champions League against defending Champions, Wydad. The Brazilians look to secure a win in the away fixture as they look to fulfill their assignment in North Africa. Head Coach, Rulani Mokwena provided an update on the trip and the training as they prepare for the match.
After returning from their away domestic league game in Polokwane on Sunday morning, the team departed for Morocco on Monday morning. Having travelled for approximately twelve hours to Casablanca, they arrived at the hotel in Rabat in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday.
Upon arrival, Coach Rulani shared the travel and training update and said, “It’s been a typical Champions League type of travel with a lot of challenges but it’s what we expected, and we are used to it. We’ve had our first training session which was an activation type of session where we work on activating the physiological aspect where the body needs to establish its biomechanics as well as the balance and then we start with the work in preparing for the tactics.”
The Bafana Ba Style Coach mentioned that travelling gives the team the opportunity to spend more time together and build chemistry. He added that the players get to know each other better but they also understand that they are travelling to compete, and the team demonstrates positivity and good spirits every day.
“They know that we are a very good team and that we can play with a strong profile, mentality, and confidence on any pitch. They’ve got many years competing in the Champions League and It’s going to be an interesting game with two good teams. We have to fight because we know that nothing will be given to us on a silver platter and enjoy the opportunity because these are moments that come once in a lifetime”, said the Masandawana Coach as he touched on the weekend encounter.
With the appointment of Sven Vanderbroech as the new coach for Wydad, Coach Mokwena communicated that there has been small adaptations from a defensive perspective in the model of play with the presence of the new coach. He stated that from their analysis, the opposition has aggressive wing players and players that can be a threat on the counterattack.
Mamelodi Sundowns will go head-to-head with Wydad of Casablanca on Saturday, 13 May 2023 for leg 1 of 2 in the CAF Champions League semi-final. The fixture will take place at the Stade Mohammed V Stadium and will kick off at 21h00.
Please note that we are with you ka mmele,pelo le moya the Brazilian.You are not only representing the Downs family but the whole country.Make us proud by scoring more goals and letle le scaftin SA di goal Masandawa.Goodluck to the whole team and technical support.Lets make Bra Alex proud so that when he get to heaven he can report to our and deliver the good news.He must be able to tell them that Sundowns ela ya maloba,e sale yona le la jeno.KABOYELO MASAWANDAWANA.KE YA SHWA KA IKEPELA KA SUNDAWANA👆👆👆👆👆