Mokoena, Williams, prove their doubters wrong.

It is now history that Teboho Mokoena (Footballer and midfielder of the season) and Ronwen Williams (Goalkeeper of the season) were big winners in the PSL awards held on Sunday evening.

For Williams, who was said to have committed career suicide by switching to Mamelodi Sundowns from neighbors SuperSport United at the beginning of the 2022/23 season, winning the goalkeeper of the season is more of an egg to the faces of those who expected him to play second fiddle to Denis Onyango.

Given a chance in the beginning of the campaign, Williams quickly showed why he is South Africa's number one, by keeping clean sheet after clean sheet, pulling off some brilliant saves at times, making the goalkeeping spot his own.

More than anything, it is how Williams fitted perfectly within the Sundowns style of play that was impressive, which includes a lot of build ups from the back.

ALSO READ: If happiness was a football club, that club would be Orlando Pirates.

http://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/happiness-lives-at-orlando-pirates.html

Comfortable with the ball on his feet, Williams added an extra dimension to Downs cutting edge football.

He went on to play 26 League matches for Sundowns, conceding nine goals and keeping a record breaking 18 clean sheets.

If you include all competitions, Williams appeared 41 times for Downs, with 25 goals conceded and 22 clean sheets.

As for Mokoena, it was a season where he showed how good he can be if he worked a little bit harder, off the ball that is.

His exploits on the ball are well documented, he can play.

But it is his work out of possession that, at times, left a lot to be desired. When he replaced Andile Jali as a Sundowns number six, a lot of Downs supporters were unhappy, some went as far as saying he was not Downs material.

ALSO READ: Bucs tipped to raid the transfer market in preparation for next season: http://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/pirates-expected-to-raid-transfer.html

But Tebza, a fighter, knuckled down and did a fantastic job in the Sundowns midfield, appearing 39 times across all competitions, with two goals scored, and three assists in his name.

Williams, and Mokoena, both born leaders, played a huge role in Downs' record breaking season,

They also have a big role to play for Sundowns and the national team going forward, and their awards were well deserved too!

Makaab confirms Jali's Sundowns exit.

    

• All good things come to an end, and so is Andile Jali's journey with Mamelodi Sundowns.

Jali's agent, Mike Makaab, has ended months of speculation by confirming that the midfielder is leaving Sundowns after the two parties, Prosport international and the club agreed on a mutual termination which will be done during the course of the week.

Jali joined Sundowns in 2018, enjoying much success with the club having won five league titles.

The 2021/22 season was probably Jali's best season at Sundowns, with him playing an integral role in their treble winning team.

It was in the season that has just ended where Jali's Sundowns career turned on its head.

He was relegated to the bench, only managing a few cameo appearances, especially after Rulani Mokwena took over the head coaching reigns.

The final straw came when Jali allegedly arrived at Chloorkop under the influence of alcohol, which was followed by him stopping to train with the club.

"We are in the process of finalising a mutual termination, which will be done during the course of this week. He will leave on a positive and amicable basis," Makaab told SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/confirmed-andile-jali-leaving-mamelodi-sundowns

"An official statement will come from the club, but when a “new coach” comes in to the building…he has his own thoughts and ideas, and we have to respect that and so does AJ," he added.

As recent as last week when Sundowns were booted out of the CAF Champions League by Wydad AC, many Downs fans felt that Jali could have made a huge difference in helping the team maintain their lead.

That's how influential the player has been to that Sundowns midfield.

Makaab says the club appreciates Jali for his services, and so does the player for the way he was welcomed.

But one thing for sure, he won't appreciate the way his exit was handled, having last played for the club in February.

ALSO READ: Truter praises Riveiro: http://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/truter-showers-riveiro-with-praises.html

"I know that Sundowns are very appreciative of the value that Andile has brought to the club and he is too of the way he was welcomed. He wore the captain’s armband, which is one of the great achievements. There’s absolutely nothing else other than purely technical reasons."

Although Makaab did not give much away in terms of Jali's next move, it is no secret that the midfielder, whom Maakab says is the best number six in the country, has many admirers.

Kaizer Chiefs, who have battled to fill the void left by Njabulo Blom in the midfield, is rumoured to be one of them.

"We are trying to finalise the issue with Sundowns out of respect for both parties. He wants to play, he believes he’s got two more years at least. He was outstanding last year and good in the first few months of this season – but things can change. We will have to play it by ear now.

"Then we have to get him ready for pre-season. He’s got a personal trainer at the moment and he is very motivated for the next chapter. I still believe, and this is my opinion, that he is the best No.6 in the land." 

I thought ‘are we going to extra-time - Mailula.

                 Image: iDiski Times 

Mamelodi Sundowns forward, Cassius Mailula, says he thought they would go to extra-time after the CAF Champions League semi-final against Wydad Athletic Club ended 2-2.

It took someone reminding him of the away goal rule for the sad reality to sink in for the 21-year-old Mailula, which was followed by heartbreak and a rain of tears.

"Even after the final whistle I thought ‘are we going to extra-time?’ But then someone told me ‘no, it’s away goals’," Mailula told MSW, as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/mailula-explains-tearful-breakdown-after-cafcl-exit/

"That’s why I was so, so emotional because I believed that if we’re going to extra-time, I thought they didn’t have a chance. But that’s what happened."

Mailula says winning the CAFCL title has been his goal since 2016.

He says it has always been his dream to see himself lifting the trophy alongside his idol, Themba Zwane.

ALSO READ: Kermit Erasmus on Ratomo: http://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/hes-such-great-talent-erasmus-on-ratomo.html

"I knew from day 1 that this is what I want, the dream that I always wanted. [Winning CAFCL] is something that I wanted to achieve.

"I would’ve actually loved to be in the final and win it in my first season with the first team, and actually to lift the trophy with Themba Zwane – Mshishi, because it’s one of the things that I said in 2016, it’s something I want to do one day."

While his dream took a heartbreaking knock, Mailula says it is not over. He will take the experiences learned from the competition and move on.

"But I don’t think it’s over. I think I’ve learnt a lot in this competition. It’s one of those days in football where you have to experience such things and to learn."

We will do it our way – Mokwena.

After Mamelodi Sundowns' semi-final exit from the CAF Champions League in the hands of holders, Wydad Athletic Club, the issue of tactics and style of play has come to the fore.

The feeling is, after Sundowns had taken a 2-1 lead towards the end of the game, closing shop would have been a better tactic.

To win, in short, coach Rulani Mokwena could have opted to sacrifice the soul of Sundowns, and play a bit 'ugly'.

But the Brazilians tactician is adamant that such will not happen anytime soon.

According to Mokwena, Sundowns have a game model that is deeply ingrained in their genes, and eventually, they will win the CAFCL playing their way.

"When we don’t win, we open the door for a lot of the talk," Mokwena told iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/mokwena-not-ready-to-sacrifice-sundowns-and-own-principles/

"The topic of style of play is a very interesting topic. But it’s a topic that has been posed, not just to me so I have to understand that, first and foremost. Even greater and more successful coaches have had to answer that question.

"What I know and what I respect is that there’s more than just one way to win – but there’s also more than one way to live life and football being what it is; a reflection of society, in the bad, you’re not good enough, in the good, you’re probably still not good enough and that’s the judgment because there are others that feel they can do it different or better."

ALSO READ: Cape Town City transfer market business already sorted, according to Eric Tinkler: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/city-done-transfer-market-deals-done.html?m=1

Mokwena says they have tried different ways in the tournament before, including the use of percentage football, which did not yield any positive results.

In that case, he wants to give the Sundowns style of play a fair chance.

“But I think we’ve done it the pragmatic way a couple of times and it also hasn’t worked, we’ve done it the percentage football way and it also hasn’t worked, so let’s give this [style of play], let’s give it a little bit of time before you cast judgment.”

He felt the coach’s love - Mokwena on Mvala.

   Image: iDiskiTV

Despite being unbeaten in the CAF Champions League, Mamelodi Sundowns were eliminated from the competition on Saturday afternoon by defending champions, Wydad AC.

The defeat, a bitter pill to swallow, should feel like the end of the world to Mothobi Mvala, who scored the own goal that sent Sundowns packing.

A warrior, Mvala is, always in the line of fire where only the brave dare to fight from, unfortunately, on Saturday he fell while fighting a good fight, and the war was lost.

At this moment, all that Mvala needs is love, even from the bleeding hearts of Sundowns supporters.

And that is exactly what Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena has showered the defender with, love and affection in his time of tribulation.

"But what did I say to Mothobi, if anything… I, in moments like this, there’s two things, one; they say those that don’t make mistakes, are those that are probably not doing anything at all," said Mokwena as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/rulani-on-tau-in-final-and-message-to-mvala/

"And two; I don’t think he’s prepared to listen to the coach at the moment. But he felt the coach’s love, I can definitely assure you of that.

"I gripped the hand firmly, I pulled the body a lot closer, and I gave him the reassurance that he’s not alone and that for me is probably far more important than any of the words I could have uttered."

Downs supporters, even in defeat, have shown a beautiful tendency to stand with their team, and Mothobi needs them more than ever at this moment.

Not criticism, not questions on whether he should have started the game ahead of the likes of Grant Kekana or not, just support from the yellow nation. 

Experience takes Wydad to the CAFCL final.

Mamelodi Sundowns have the quality, but Wydad AC have all the experience, and it was experience that won the day for them as the defending champions marched on to another showdown against Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League.

And the sad thing is, one can't buy experience with any amount of cash, but more often than not, one pays for it through painful experiences, as Sundowns did on Saturday afternoon.

A team that has made Africa sit up and take notice with their cutting edge brand of football, couldn't take their game a gear up against a determined Wydad, whom as they showed when they twice came from behind to force a 2-2 draw, still had more gears to change to according to the game's demands.

Sundowns head coach, Rulani Mokwena, accepted that lack of experience let his side down.

“The difference is the experience, you can’t buy it. We’ve got to learn from it, we’ve got to feel what it feels like to lose,” Mokwena told SuperSport TV as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/mokwena-makes-bold-claim-after-cafcl-exit/

“We’ll win the Champions League, for sure. We will win it.

“It will take another season maybe and another season. And maybe… But we will do it, we will get there."

It is the painful lessons that came with Saturday afternoon's defeat which Mokwena believes will make Sundowns a better side.

“We just have to take these painful experiences as lessons.”

ALSO READ: Read all about how Chippa United made this writer eat humble pie. https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/chippa-survives-maritzburg-hang-on-as-i.html?m=1

“There is a lot [of lessons we’ll take from this game],” he added.

“At the moment, I’m too emotional to even think about the lessons but we go again.

“I’m wishing Wydad all the best for the final. We call it ‘football heritage’ but we will learn from it, we will be better, we will get there.”

The coach will surprise us again - Vandenbroeck on Mokwena.

Mamelodi Sundowns will host Wydad AC this afternoon at Loftus Versfeld in a CAF Champions League second leg semi-final encounter.

The two sides played to a goalless draw in Morocco last weekend, which left the fixture wide open.

Wydad coach, Sven Vandenbroeck, is wary of the Sundowns tactical approach, which he says has too many variations and hard to predict.

Vandenbroeck says Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola's influence is evident in the Sundowns team, with coach Rulani Mokwena being an admirer of the Spanish tactician.

Sundowns play a fluid brand of football that leaves opposition chasing shadows for most parts of the game.

"Coach Rulani, he’s [been] following Pep Guardiola for a long period, so he has a lot of variations [of tactics], in Morocco, he tried one and I think he has another three or four [variations]. So yes it’s a lot of work [to try and compete against him], that’s why two weeks work or three days preparation is sometimes not enough," said Vandenbroeck as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/wydad-coach-on-rulanis-guardiola-references/

"You can give a lot of information to players, but you cannot cover everything, so even tomorrow (Saturday) in the game, we will be very concentrated on what we’re doing, observing what they are doing, and trying to find solutions."

Vandenbroeck expects Mokwena to come up with more tactical surprises this afternoon.

ALSO READ: Al Ahly to win their 11th CAFCL title?
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"The problem in Morocco was there were 60 to 70 thousand [fans] and the players can’t hear you all the time so we had to wait until half-time to rectify things but then the red card came, so we didn’t have to [change] with one man more… But I’m pretty sure tomorrow (Saturday) the coach will surprise us again."

Kick-off the will be at 15:00, with the winner set to face Al Ahly SC in the final on the 4th and the 11th of June. 

Wydad is not going to be easy - Modise.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfield general, Teko Modise, who is currently the team's ambassador, has sent a warning about the threat of Wydad AC.

Sundowns face Wydad on Saturday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in a highly anticipated CAF Champions League semi-final.

With the game at a delicate 0-0 after the first leg, Modise has warned Sundowns not to allow Wydad to score first, while encouraging them to remember how good they are as a team.

"It is a tough one, Wydad is one of those teams that if they score first you can play until next week because it is difficult to score against them," said Modise, as quoted by Times Live. https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-05-19-teko-modise-urges-sundowns-players-to-remember-how-good-they-are-against-wydad/

"But Sundowns need to remember how good they are. They showed against Al Ahly here during the group stages, where the game was difficult, but they came through."

One thing that has impressed Modise about Downs' current team, is their ability to rise to the occasion, something they will have to do against Wydad.

ALSO READ: Aubrey Modiba on his inverted full-back role. https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/modiba-has-paid-his-school-fees.html?m=1

"One thing I like about Sundowns is whenever they are asked to show what they are about, they perform. This is one of those hurdles we need to jump. 

"Wydad is not going to be easy, but we need to use our home ground advantage with the fans."

Kick-off will be at 15:00.

The winner will face Al Ahly SC on June 04, and 11 in the final after they beat Esperance 4-0 on aggregate.

Modiba has paid his school fees.

Mamelodi Sundowns left-back, Aubrey Modiba has had to endure a torrid time getting used to his inverted full-back role.

Against Al Ahly SC, a game that Sundowns won 5-2 during the CAF Champions League group stages, Modiba had a hand in both the goals Downs conceded, with Tau forcing him into an error for the first, and taking him to the cleaners for the second.

But just last week, the 27-year- old was voted into the CAFCL team of the week following his sterling display against Wydad AC.

That is how much Modiba has improved in a short space of time. He has credited trusting the process for his latest showings, proving once and for all, that he has paid his school fees.

"Coach always said we must trust the process, when we started pre-season in Rustenberg, the coach told us, this is how we’re going to play, he wants us to play this way and we knew why he wanted to play like this," said Modiba as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/modiba-i-didnt-understand-the-role-much/

"He always has a purpose, but when we started I didn’t understand the role much, sometimes I would do what he wants me to do and sometimes I will forget but he kept reminding me and pushing me, motivating me to be in this position.

"He knew what he wanted out of the team, so yeah, when we started, we went through the sessions and everything and started coming alright, we started understanding one another, where to go etc."

ALSO READ: Guardiola on celebrations after Chelsea game should City win. https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/no-celebrations-should-city-win-epl-on.html?m=1

Modiba has admitted that there is always going to be mistakes leading to critisicm, but he doesn't dwell on them.

"There’s going to be mistakes and criticism. As a player I don’t focus too much on criticism because I think I’ve played in the PSL for so long and we know these things happen, people will say things."

Modiba will be hoping for another great performance when Sundowns host Wydad AC in a CAFCL semi-final second leg encounter tomorrow ( Saturday 20 May) at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

We need to write our own history - Kekana.

Mamelodi Sundowns will host Wydad AC tomorrow (Saturday 20 May) at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in a CAF Champions League semi-final encounter, with the kick-off at 15:00.

Sundowns managed to hold the defending champions to a goalless draw away in Morocco, and will be hoping to finish the Job at home.

Downs defender, Grant Kekana, said they are well aware that it is only halftime as far as the game is concerned, and they have an important assignment on Saturday.

Halftime it is, with the scoreline delicately balanced at 0-0, Wydad can still turn the game on its head.

One thing for sure, Sundowns cannot afford to get ahead of themselves, as Kekana alluded.

"We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves we know that with the results from the first leg of the semifinal, it’s only halftime for us. We’ve got a big game and an important assignment on Saturday.  We are happy that we got through with the league and we can now focus on CAF with no distractions," Kekana told sundownsfc.co.za.

Having won the competition under Pitso Mosimane in 2016, the current crop of players have an opportunity to write their own history, and that is exactly what coach Rulani Mokwena told his charges according to Kekana.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/he-always-pushes-us-kekana-on-mokwena.html?m=1

"One thing that the coach told us at the beginning of the season was that this group of players needs to write its own history, and I think that we have given ourselves a chance to do that. Getting the second star is something that is big in our minds and hearts, this is the big fish. Nobody is going to distract us, we know the mission and what we need to do to accomplish it."

He always pushes us - Kekana on Mokwena.

Defender, Grant Kekana, has won two league titles in his two seasons at Mamelodi Sundowns after the Brazilians lifted their sixth DStv Premiership title in a row on Tuesday.

Kekana said they had set some goals in the beginning of the season, and feels they have achieved some of them.

"We wanted to get three points last night (on Tuesday) but we take the point and celebrate the league title. It’s been a tough season. At the beginning of the season, we had set a lot of goals to fullfil, and I think coming down to the last game of the season, we achieved a bit of what we had hoped for. I am proud of the team and our accomplishments," Kekana told sundownsfc.co.za

The versatile defender has attributed Sundowns success to coach Rulani Mokwena, who is always pushing them to achieve more.

"He always pushes us to go into the level beyond the next and that’s the mentality we all have."

The 24-year-old said his motto has always been to improve and be a better footballer, something he has achieved at Sundowns, growing in statue with every game he plays.

ALSO READ: Dillon Solomons on Kaizer Chiefs. https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/we-are-building-to-create-something.html?m=1

"My motto has always been to improve and be better. I learn a lot from the quality players that surround me. We take advice from each other to help improve the collective, and I can only say that it’s because of the collaborative effort of the team that I’m improving my game.

"I’m proud to be a part of this wonderful team, I keep learning and improving every day. The coach has always motivated us to express ourselves on the pitch and that is what helped me to come out of my shell and display my skills."

Sundowns will face Wydad AC on Saturday 20 May at Loftus Versfeld in a Caf Champions League 2nd leg semi-final encounter. 

Bucs fans not happy with Mokwena's comments after title win.

Orlando Pirates fans are not happy with Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena, following his comments after Downs lifted the Dstv Premiership trophy for the sixth time in a row.

Bucs fans feel Mokwena's comments belittled their teams achievements so far this season.

Pirates are in line to finish second on the log, with the Nedbank Cup still up for grabs, having already lifted the MTN8 trophy earlier this season.

What Mokwena said...

"It might not feel like it sometimes, but this is the most important trophy in the country, the most important, it's the championship for ten months - home and away," said Mokwena after the game.

"You can fluke one or two wins, three, maybe four, and then a cup is delivered but you need to be consistent to win a championship."

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/it-was-good-really-good-klopp-on.html?m=1

Bucs fans' reactions...

@Kholisile Majola

I like him as a coach not when he belittles other people for defeating him. I mean he achieved nothing alone, he didn't even start the 30 games as a sole leader.

@Makholwa Madwara

Koketso Dongo Mafereka If thats the case, any other team can fluke the Champions League. So by his line of argument, Champions League is whack because it has lesser games than the league. Yes/no?

@Sther Magaye

He is still bitter that they lost MTN8 semi-final to Pirates and feeling the chest pains for Bucs reaching the Nedbank final. He is already nervous of the talks that if Reveiro finishes second and win the Nedbank cup should be considered the coach of the season. He is now trying to defend himself that he won the biggest cup so he is coach of season. That how I analyse this statement.

@Zandise Makhuluskobho Nkungu

We know it does not feel good to not win everything so he must not act like they didn't want to win the cups they participated in, they wanted them badly, in fact in a cup competition that is where you prove that you are better than your counterpart because you win against that team you progress, you lose you are gone but in the league you can lose both first and second round with one team but beat other weak teams and win it, hence Pitso once said "you don't have to beat Chiefs to win the league, you can lose to them and still go on to win it"

And he also said while in Al Ahly "you don't have to beat Sundowns in the group stages to win CCL, let them take points and beat them in the KO stages because that's where the real CCL starts"  and he did it

@Ntshoakotse J Mokalapa

Zandise Makhuluskobho Nkungu I love Mlungisi and always have his back but he should not belittle those who got half a loaf which he was yearning for too. His team have the depth to can win all trophies on offer but seeing his failure to do that he start to with excuses.

@Prince Lefa

Taking a dig Towards Riveiro, well Rhulani you failed to win those fluke one or two games to clinch those Cups Sir. Enjoy your League titles and let other teams to rejoice also.

I thought we were excellent - Mokwena.

Mamelodi Sundowns kept their hopes of reaching the CAF Champions League final alive when they held Wydad AC to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night at the Stade Mohammed V.

The result left the 2nd leg, to be played in Pretoria next week, in a delicate situation.

A draw with goals will see Sundowns knocked out of the CAFCL.

Nonetheless, Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena, thought his side were excellent in Morocco.

Despite managing only a six goal attempts, with a single shot on target, Sundowns put on a controlled tactical performance that saw them limiting Wydad to just 11 goal attempts, with two on target, playing with 10 men in the second half.

"I thought before the red card we were very good, we scored, there were moments where we had 65% ball possessions – here [at Stade Mohamed V]," said Mokwena after the match as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/mokwena-rebuffs-criticism-after-cafcl-first-leg/

"I thought we were excellent actually, contrary to your statement. That’s why I give so much, so much praise to the players. They know it’s only half-time, so we keep our feet firmly on the ground."

Going into next weekend's second leg, Mokwena is counting on the Sundowns supporters, and home ground advantage to push the team to the final.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/a-mature-performance-from-sundowns-in.html?m=1

"We’re still focussed on second leg in Pretoria. We know that we will also have the ammunition also behind us, we will have a stadium that now knows how to play Champions League matches and push this team."

A mature performance from Sundowns in Morocco.

Mamelodi Sundowns left the Stade Mohammed V Stadium bruised, but not beaten as they held defending champions, Wydad AC to a 0-0 draw in a CAF Champions League semi-final first leg on Saturday evening. 

The result was impressive, tricky as it is, because a 0-0 draw leaves the second leg wide open, but it is in the performance that achieved the result where Sundowns were excellent. 

One has to look at how the Brazilians played in the first half when it was still 11 vs 11.

Despite a hostile atmosphere created by the crowd, and the weight of the occasion, Sundowns were still able to block out all the noise, deal with the pressure, and play their normal, daring, arrogant possession football that has earned them respect across Africa. 

You don't go to Morocco, to play the defending CAFCL champions, in front of such a crowd, and control more than 60% of the ball, with a passing accuracy of 80% in the opposition half, but Sundowns did that without any fear or panic, and that is what I call maturity. 

It was in the second half where I thought the Brazilians would be totally against wall. 

Having lost Neo Maema through a red card in the 43rd minute, it was going to take a performance and a half for Sundowns to stop Wydad from taking full advantage of their numerical advantage and win the game. 

But the only thing that Wydad achieved with their extra man, was more possession and one or two good chances. 

But in all honesty, Sundowns were still in control, they still played with confidence, despite having to change their approach a little, they still played with structure, but most importantly, they did not panic. 

Another coach, on another day, would have sacrificed a Thapelo Morena for a midfielder, but not Rulani Mokwena. 

Instead, he simply adjusted the formation and they carried on. 

I do not remember watching a South African side giving such a controlled, measured performance in a hostile environment, except maybe the Orlando Pirates of 1995 who went on to conquer Africa, but Sundowns did it with so much ease, credit, they deserve. 

From good, Sundowns can go on to be great. 

I’m very sober, I’m very sober - Mokwena on Downs CAFCL favorites tag.

Ahead of their CAF Champions League semi-final showdown against Wydad AC tonight in Morocco, Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena says he is not intoxicated by the CAFCL favorites sweet brew being fed his side.

Mokwena was quick to divert the attention to the North African sides, saying they have achieved way more than Sundowns, having won the trophy 35 times.

"I’m very sober, I’m very sober in understanding what we have done [this season], it’s not allowed us to win anything,” Mokwena said in the pre-match press conference as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/mokwena-north-african-clubs-have-won-this-35-times/

"If you look at the history of the Champions League you will know that 35 times this trophy has been won by a North African side, you look at the teams that are remaining in the last four and you see for yourself how many Al Ahly have won, how many times Esperance and Wydad have won the Champions League, more than Mamelodi Sundowns."

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Mokwena emphasized his point by highlighting Wydad's success in the competition.

The champions are appearing in their fifth semi-final in a row.

"If you look directly at our opponent you understand this is their fifth consecutive semi-final appearance, whereas this is the first time in a very long time that we appear in the semi-finals, so it’s very clear, that when you look at everything, we don’t have the pressure, we just have to continue to enjoy what we’re doing."

Tonight's semi-final kicks-off at 21:00.

They know we’re a very good team - Mokwena on Wydad AC.

While he acknowledges Wydad AC pedigree in the CAF Champions League, Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Rulani Mokwena, believes their opponents are also aware how good a team Sundowns are.

"Yes [form] always counts for something in football, they know their level, they know our level, they know we’re a very good team and we can play our football with good profile, good mentality, confidence, at any pitch," Mokwena said as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/rulani-on-challenges-travelling-to-morocco-and-wydad-threat/

"But it’s going to be a good game against a team that of course is the defending champions, [has] good pedigree in the Champions League, many years of competing but it’s going to be an interesting game between two good teams, good players and we have to fight and nothing is given on a silver platter and enjoy the opportunity because it’s moments that come once in a lifetime."

The truth is, Wydad AC have no illusions about how good Sundowns are.

No bad team can make a mockery of the most decorated team in Africa, Al Ahly SC, that is, and make it through the group stages unscathed, go on to make an easy meal of CR Belouizdad, winning 4-1 in Algeria.

Because Sundowns are good, they managed to do that.

But Sundowns' exploits in the group and quarter-final stages, mean the reigning African champions, Wydad, have smelled the danger and will be on high alert come Saturday evening at the intimidating Stade Mohammed V.

A Wydad on red alert can be ruthless, meaning Sundowns will have to go beyond good on Saturday if they are to escape with a positive result, they will have to be great.

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And great they can be if they can apply themselves well mentally to withstand the pressure both on the field and from the fans, that is because in football playing terms, tactically/technically Sundowns, despite one or two flaws, are just superb.

It is in psychological application where they will have to be great, because they definitely have a bruising battle on their hands.

Wydad, a team standing between Sundowns and the African throne.

Mamelodi Sundowns will take on Wydad AC on Saturday 13 May at the Stade Mohammed V in highly anticipated CAF Champions League semi-final 1st leg.

The two sides have met five times before in the competition, with the reigning African champions, Wydad, winning twice, two draws, and a single Sundowns win.

Both Wydad wins were achieved in their home turf, and Sundowns will be hoping to turn things around on Saturday, and beat their Moroccan counterparts at home to increase their chances of reaching the final.

But there is more to this titanic battle than just Sundowns hoping to reach the final.

The Brazilians have proven beyond reasonable doubt that they are a competitive side on the continent, a real force to be reckoned with.

But since winning the title under Pitso Mosimane in 2016, Sundowns have not done in enough to convince Africa that they are ready to sit on the throne once again. The Wydad clash is a test they have to pass to make Africa believe again.

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And beating Wydad is possible, as Simba demonstrated in the quarter-finals, where the African Champions needed penalties to advance to the semi-finals after losing 1-0 away and winning with the same scoreline at home.

In the second leg, Simba had to be strong defensively to stomach intense offensive play from Wydad.

Despite eventually conceding a goal, they managed to limit Wydad to just three shots on targets, from 12 goal attempts that came from a staggering 66% ball possession.

Going into Saturday's encounter, Sundowns will have to walk along Simba's lines, and be resolute in defence.

But they need to take it a step further, by threatening the Wydad defence, something that Simba failed to do, having not registered a shot on target from six attempts.

Fortunately for Sundowns, attack is their biggest strength, and they are highly capable of going to Morocco and score a goal or two, maybe even three!

But one thing for sure, this is one game that Sundowns must win to prove their readiness to sit on the throne of African club football. 

Fortunately we didn’t bleed a lot around the box - Mokwena.

Rulani Mokwena watched his Mamelodi Sundowns side come from a goal down to beat CR Belouizdad 2-0 to advance to the Caf Champions League semi-finals 6-2 on aggregate.

Mokwena believes they were fortunate not to have given away a lot of free-kicks around the box, where CRB could have punished them.

CRB opened the scoring from a corner kick that was headed in by Bouchar in the 24th minute, before Themba Zwane 45' and Thapelo Morena 49', salvaged the game for Sundowns.

“The feeling I got in the first half before they scored was that we were closer to scoring than they were. I thought we were in control, " said Mokwena as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/rulani-my-biggest-disadvantage-as-coach/

The only disappointment of the first half is that the first five minutes after they scored, I think emotionally we were rattled a little bit

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“Fortunately we didn’t bleed a lot around the box because if you bleed a lot around the box against North African sides, they get free-kicks, they get corners and then they go for the second and that could’ve complicated issues.

“But after that we then stabilised ourselves again, we showed very good leadership and the senior players took charge of the game again and [we scored] a very good goal from Mshishi.”

They have quality players and money - CR Belouizdad coach on Sundowns.

Mamelodi Sundowns beat CR Belouizdad at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday afternoon to reach the semi-finals of the Caf Champions League, and CRB coach, Nabil Kouki, can't stop singing their praises.

Money is almost always part of the conversation where Sundowns are concerned, but Kouki believes it is not only money that is pushing Sundowns ahead of the rest, but their ability to identify and sign quality players.

"Mamelodi Sundowns, in my opinion, is the best team in Africa right now. It's a challenge to play this team, their football has everything," Kouki told the media after the game.

"Football always has new things, but nowadays if you talk about football, it's money.

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"All the coaches around the world can see Sundowns is ahead of the others. They have quality players and money, yes other teams have money as well to buy players, but the Sundowns technical team has the technique to find and buy quality players. You can see them on the field, how they finish, in my opinion, Sundowns is far ahead of the other teams."

Sundowns will face Moroccan giants, Wydad Casablanca in the semi-finals.

The first leg will be played away in Morocco on the weekend of the 12th-13th of May, with the second leg scheduled for 19-20 May. 

Boutouil, another victory for Sundowns scouting department.

It took the Moroccan defender long enough to make and appearance, but Abdelmounaim Boutouil has taken to the Mamelodi Sundowns way of playing like fish to water.

Boutouil, who has played for Raja Casablanca, FAR Rabat, and SCC Mohammadia amongst other clubs, has impressed for Sundowns ever since he was introduced.

The 25-year-old left-center-back, who can also play comfortably as a defensive midfielder, looks like a player who was tailor-made for the Sundowns game model.

Being left-footed, Boutouil gives Sundowns balance during build-up play from the back, which is one of the key features in their model.

Boutouil is comfortable on the ball, even under opposition pressure. He can play accurate short and longer passes, which gives Sundowns more opportunities to vary their build up play.

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A big plus is his height and the ability to defend high balls.

Off the ball, Boutouil has proven himself capable of dealing comfortably with one vs one situations, meaning he can provide safe cover for his left-back during opposition counter-attacks from the left, something he might have to deal with a lot considering how Sundowns prefers to have their full-backs constantly joining offensive play.

In a nutshell, from reading the game, to excellent positioning, and physical presence, Boutouil is another real coup for Sundowns, and the likes of Rushine De Reuck and Mosa Lebusa will have to work extra hard for some game time.

Credit must go to the Sundowns scouting department for continuously bringing quality imports to the Dstv Premiership.