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. 

Grealish, Guardiola believe City can finish Real at home.

An epic battle was expected, and the two sides did not disappoint when Real Madrid and Manchester City played to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday evening at the Santiago Bernabeu in a Uefa Champions League semi-final.

The breathtaking football played by the sides was matched by two rockets for goals, with Vinicius Jr finishing from the edge of the box to put Madrid ahead after a swift counterattack in the 36th minute.

Kevin De Bruyne was not to be outdone as he replied for Man City with a stunner of his own in the 67th minute to level matters.

The result has set up a mouth watering second leg encounter at the Etihad, a game that Man City winger, Jack Grealish, and manager, Pep Guardiola, believe they have every chance of winning.

"We have a new team this year, different players," Grealish told BT Sports as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/we-feel-unstoppable-at-home-jack-grealish-eyes-champions-league-final

"We've learned so much since last year. Now we have the perfect balance of experience and a few youngsters who are just world-class.

"I think we just have quality and I've never felt so confident going on to the pitch and having these players around me.

"Within ourselves at the Etihad, we feel unstoppable there. We came here to try and win, but it shows our character to go a goal down – it's always difficult to play at a place like this.

"In the end I think it was a fair result. They had their chances, we had a few as well."

Man City manager, Guardiola, says the return leg at home will be like a final for their supporters, and it is a game they are looking forward to.

"It was a really tight game. Congratulations to the team because this team (Real) are always so difficult for their history and also their quality.

"We started really well and when we were better they made an incredible transition (and scored).

"When they were better than us in the second half, we scored. It's open to Manchester, it will be a final for our people and we look forward to it."

While a 1-1 away draw gives City an advantage for next week's encounter, you can count on Real to put on another tactical masterclass to come out of the Etihad victorious.

On the other hand, the Uefa Champions League is one trophy Guardiola and his City side will move mountains to get their hands on, and Carlo Ancelotti's men are the mountain almost immovable when it comes to the UCL.

Whether City can do it is anyone's guess, but one thing that is clear as daylight, is another spectacle coming our way next week. 

Chiefs CAFCL hopes dashed as they lose to Swallows.

Kaizer Chiefs saw their Caf Champions League hopes take a huge knock when they lost 2-1 to Swallows FC at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Gregory Damons opened the scoring for Swallows in the 7th minute, before Christian Saile Basomboli brought Chiefs level in the 23rd minute with a far post finish from a Mduduzi Shabalala free-kick.

But Bongani Sam headed Swallows back in front when he nodded in from a Keagan Allan bicycle kick in the 33rd minute.

Missed chances where once again Amakhosi's Achilles heel.

They had the game under their control, averaging 75% possession, and managed a whopping 25 attempts on goal, despite managing to put seven shots on target, Chiefs missed a lot of chances, especially in the second half, that could have seen them put the game beyond Swallows.

Swallows, who sacrificed possession and opted to keep things tight at the back, relied on quick offensive transitions and set-pieces to get scoring opportunities, and it was from both those situations that they found their goals.

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Monday afternoon's win saw Swallows move to the 8th spot on the log, far away from the relegation threat that has been hanging over their heads for the better part of this season.

As for Amakhosi, who have 46 points with two games remaining, chances of finishing on the Caf Champions League spot are as good as gone, unless Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United produce howlers in their remaining matches.

Chiefs next play Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semi-final on Saturday 06 May at FNB Stadium, kick-off will be at 15:00.

Sundowns are serious about development - Bishop.

Departing Mamelodi Sundowns Head of academy and methodology, Shawn Bishop, says the Brazilians are serious about the development of young players.

This season, Sundowns introduced Cassius Mailula to the Dstv Premiership, and the 21-year-old forward has since went on to take the league by storm, scoring and creating goals like a seasoned professional.

Besides Mailula, who has already made his Bafana Bafana debut, Sundowns have also given cameo appearances to youth internationals, Ntando Nkosi and Siyabonga Mabena.

Introducing youngsters to the senior team is impressive coming from a team that is known not to hesitate when it comes to opening their cheque  book to buy players they need.

Despite doing great work with the Sundowns academy, Bishop has been afforded an opportunity he couldn't refuse to work in Europe.

"It’s an opportunity that I couldn’t say no to, but the official announcement regarding that will come from Sundowns. The board, the chairman and everybody have been involved in the process," said Bishop as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/confirmed-shawn-bishop-leaving-sundowns-head-of-academy-post

Bishop says he is planning to open a lot of opportunities for youngsters once he gets overseas.

"From Sundowns there’s no other African club you can go to. I felt that for my growth this is something I needed to do. I am planning to open a lot of doors for youngsters as well and see what we can do going forward," he added.

"The important thing for me is the operational structures that I have put in place – the growth and the changes in the academy from when I took over from the Johan Cruyff Foundation after learning a lot from those guys," Bishop explained. 

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"I helped make sure the club has had growth and is sustainable, and the thing with academy football is that it’s a long-term athletic development plan. People think players are developed in two or three years, they are not. It’s 10 years. Sundowns are serious about development – Thando Buthelezi, Kabelo Moagi…those boys have been with us since they were 11-years old and now making their debuts in the first team."

It is done when it is done and still, it is not done - Guardiola.

Manchester City went top of the English Premier League table after a 2-1 win over Fulham on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez saw City surpass long time log leaders, Arsenal, whom they trounced 4-1 on Wednesday 26 April.

While a lot of people believe the dream is over for Arsenal, Man City manager, Pep Guardiola says the job is not yet done, although the title is now in their hands.

"At the end of the season, fighting for the title is the best feeling that we can have and the Premier League is in our hands," said Guardiola as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/pep-guardiola-warns-man-city-not-to-destruct-as-people-say-title-race-is-over

"It doesn't matter what happens in London, at the Emirates, it depends on us."

Guardiola says City have to keep the momentum going, perform as they have been doing in the past few months.

"We must just look at ourselves, perform every single game like we've performed the last two, three, four months, do everything and we'll be closer and closer to the something exceptional.

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"We cannot deny, winning another Premier League, how exceptional it would be.

"When you have that depending on us – you can drop it because you are not good, but not because you destruct or you start to listen to the wrong messages that it is already done. It is done when it is done and still, it is not done."

Lamine doesn't seem like a 15-year-old - Xavi on Yamal.

Making your debut for FC Barcelona at the age of 15 is no small feat, and Lamine Yamal, who is of Moroccan and Equatorial Guinean descent has done it with great aplomb.

The Barca youth sensation made his senior team debut in Barcelona's 4-0 victory over Real Betis, breaking a record previously held by another top youth talent, Gavi, who went on to represent Spain in Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Barcelona coach, Xavi, has come out in full praise of the teenager, saying the way he plays doesn't seem like that of a 15-year-old.

"I told him to try things and he did," he said. "At 15 years old, just imagine it... He is special and he could have even scored tonight, but Rui Silva saved," said Xavi as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/xavi-compares-record-breaking-yamal-to-messi

"He played with confidence and he showed what he is about. He has no fear and bags of talent. Some of his passes in the final third were really good.

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"He's a similar player because he has that innate talent in the final third which is difficult to find.

"Lamine doesn't seem like a 15-year-old, he's very mature. He's ready [to play] and he is training well. He can mark an era at this club as part of this team."