In the world of motoring, they have petrol heads, and football has Mokwena, a football head.

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Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Rulani Mokwena is a man married to the game.

Mokwena's passion for the game borders on total obsession, which is not a bad thing at all if one wants to be successful and stay a bit ahead of the rest in the field.

Mokwena's necessary obsession with attention to detail when it comes to preparing for opponents is nothing short of military precision, where small mistakes are a difference between life and death.

It is not surprising than, that Mokwena can already wax lyrical about his side's Caf Champions League quarterfinal opponents, CR Belouizdad.

"It is a draw we accept with a lot of humility but also with a clear understanding that it is going to be very difficult,” Mokwena told Times Live. https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-04-06-cr-belouizdad-a-very-good-side-sundowns-coach-mokwena-cautions/

"CR Belouizdad are a very good side, though they finished second in their group with 10 points. They have a good campaign, in the Champions League and their domestic league where they are on top of the log though they have played only 17 games. 

"The gap between number one and number two is maybe a bit of story that is similar to ours [Sundowns in the PSL] — a big gap of about 13 points. 

"They have good players. They play something similar to a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 with a strong and powerful Nigerian striker upfront, Anayo Iwuala, and their top goalscorer with five goals, Mohamed Bakir."

Mokwena on the challenge of traveling to Algeria while dealing with domestic fixtures:

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"They are an interesting side with good tactical formations and structures and we know going to Algeria is going to be difficult, particularly with the travelling and trying to map our way between domestic fixtures. 

"We have the Nedbank Cup [quarterfinal against Stellenbosch FC in the Cape on April 15] just before we have to travel to Algeria, there is a lot of work for our management team and advance travelling party to do.

"But they have a lot of experience and we trust them to assist us with the preparations." 

If Mamelodi Sundowns are to progress to the semi-finals, thorough preparations will be key, and judging by Mokwena's comments, it seems they are right on the pulse.