Mamelodi Sundowns find themselves on the summit of the Group A’s tally in the CAF Champions League following a 1-0 victory against Egyptian side, Pyramids FC on Tuesday evening at the 30 June Stadium. It was Teboho Mokoena’s heroic goal that earned the Chloorkop-based side a massive victory on the road after his signature long range shot stunned the goalkeeper and hit the net.
Speaking to coach Rulani Mokwena after the match, he expressed his joy to see his side back to their winning ways after drawing to the Pyramids FC at home on the first leg. He further stated the importance of his side collecting maximum points in this game, considering how the results have been turning out in Group A.
“I would like to congratulate Mamelodi Sundowns for the victory. It was a difficult game against a difficult side with very good players. We had to suffer in some of the moments and it showed that we can adapt to the conditions. It was necessary to suffer because in the end, we did not give away a lot of chances. I am happy with the performance of the team. The performance was tricky in certain moments but I’m very happy with the overall performance,” said the tactician.
“Winning this match is a big a step but not a big enough step because it’s only three points that’s between us and the other two teams,’ he continued.
The home side also had a few opportunities to level matters, especially in the first half but the coach Rulani’s defensive squad displayed their defensive discipline as they consistently denied The Heirs of the Pharaohs any chances to get the ball in the box.
Even with the victory, coach Rulani stated that his charges could have scored more goals and dominated the ball possession even better in Cairo. He is however satisfied with the adaptations his team displayed that saw them cruise to victory.
“For majority of the game we had some good moments where we dominated possession and that’s not always easy in the Champions League, so we had to play and answer that, that’s the modern game at the moment,” said coach Rulani.
“We are football romantics, we love football but we also understand that in the game of football you have to answer what the game asks of you. If the game asks you to counterattack, you’ve got to counterattack, we don’t play for that. if the game asks you to suffer and absorb, we have to suffer and absorb pressure but we don’t play for that,” he concluded.
Bafana Ba Style will resume their continental action early next year as they shift back their focus to league competition, with three games left in the year. The aim will be to finish strong and continue their dominance.
The introduction of Club World Cup being 32 teams I think our beloved Downs must start to priotize which competition is vital.
I know by look of things we’ll be there in 2025 with other teams.
This thing of wanting every trophies that are on offer must come to an end especially SA trophies what we must priotize here is just the league nothing else and concentrate on big fishes which is Afl,Champs League and Club World CUP.
That will help us a lot to avoid fatigue and unnecessary injuries for little prizes as Nedbank and Carling aback label.The league is very important because its our ticket to compete in Africa and the money is not bad,hope next season our technical staff and our Management will concentrate on that, Kby forever