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.

Arteta marinades Brighton with sweet praises.

Arsenal will host Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow [Sunday 14 May] in a crucial English Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium, with the kick-off at 17:30.

Arsenal are a point behind Manchester City, with 81 points after 35 matches, to City's 82 after 34 games.

With their hopes of winning the EPL title still very much alive, Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has showered Brighton with praises ahead of Sunday's showdown. A way of sweetening his meal before munching on it maybe?

Arteta says Brighton are a complete side that is a joy to watch.

"They are a really complete side. The way they are playing under Roberto and the coaching staff is remarkable, it’s just a joy to watch them play. He’s brought a different idea to the league and that’s a different challenge for managers as well," said Arteta on Arsenal's website.

"This is what you want. We want to be the best league in the world and we need the best managers and the best players. What he’s done with the team, after all the foundations that Graham Potter left at the club, is incredible. It’s going to be a very tough match.

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The two sides have met twice this season, with Brighton winning the first encounter 3-1, before Arsenal had their revenge with a 4-2 victory.

"We've beat them as well, so they were two very different games. When you look at the line-up [for the League Cup match], there were 10 changes. They were very similar games in certain moments with different outcomes, but extremely tricky with the way they play and handle certain things they do. It’s the same for them with the way we play."

UWC aiming for Sundowns Ladies scalp.

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will host the University of Western Cape in a top of the table Hollywoodbets Super League clash tomorrow [Sunday 14 May] at Tuks Stadium, kick-off is at 15:00.

UWC are currently leading the title race with 33 points after a round of 12 matches, with Sundowns in close second with 31 points.

While Sundowns Ladies will be looking to win and go top on their familiar number spot, UWC will be motivated by their good form, plus the fact that Downs failed to beat them last season.

UWC emerged as 2-0 winners in the first round, and the second round fixture ended in a 1-1 draw.

Speaking to the Mamelodi Sundowns media department, Downs Ladies midfielder, Lerato Kgasago, said while they give each game the respect it deserves, they are aware of the significance of this particular encounter.

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"It is crucial to acknowledge the significance of every game, but there is no denying that this particular match is a highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash. While we approach each fixture with utmost seriousness, we are well aware of the expectation surrounding this match. Our team has been diligently preparing, leaving no stone unturned, as we aim to secure maximum points. Emerging victorious is at the forefront of our agenda, and we are determined to deliver a strong performance on the day," said Kgasago.

Her Sundowns Ladies teammate, Regina Mogolola, said they are well aware of UWC's strengths, and they are ready to face them head-on.

"They are a ball-playing team that has exhibited remarkable consistency throughout the season. As we approach this game, every member of our team fully understands the magnitude of the task on Sunday. From a tactical perspective, they possess tremendous energy on the field and consistently execute effective counter-pressing strategies. We are fully aware of their strengths and are ready to face them head-on," said Mogolola.

On the other side, UWC's Amogelang Motau, said the arrival of sports scientist, Ridhaa Allie, has seen them improve significantly when it comes to their conditioning.

Motau believes that is one of the factors that have led to UWC's great start this season, as well as the fact that they have been playing together for three seasons, which has improved the understanding between the players.

"Last year we had a problem where we didn't have enough depth on the squad. This season is different for us. I think with Ridhaa Allie coming in as our sports scientist and helping us with the conditioning, I think we are well-conditioned," said Motau as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/mfjb1fbaz1b6m7x

"And also, we've been playing with this team for three seasons now, and I think we know each other and our goal is clear this season. We were second last season, and there's no place between the second and the first place, so there's only one way to go."

The match will be televised live on SABC 1.

We are not in the final yet - Koller.

Despite putting Esperance Tunis to the sword in a CAF Champions League semi-final first leg, Al Ahly SC coach, Marcel Koller, says the Red Eagles are not in the final yet.

Ahly put on a clinical display to win 3-0 as Percy Tau bagged a brace, with Mahmoud Kahraba adding third.

Although Koller is happy with the result, he is careful not to get ahead of himself, despite a healthy 3-0 advantage.

"I am happy with the victory and the performance. We had a strong start and scored early in the game but we allowed Esperance to have the possession in most of the first half," Koller told Al Ahly SC website.

"I spoke with the players at half time to stay focused and they had an incredible second half. We are not in the final yet. We have a good advantage but we still have another match to play in Cairo after one week." 

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Ahly's goalkeeper, Mohamed El Shenawy, agrees with Koller's sentiments.

"We haven't won the tie yet. We won the first leg but we have a second game after one week at home. Esperance is a big team and we prepared for them very well. I am happy with the victory. We will celebrate tonight and tomorrow we will start preparing for the second leg." 

The two sides will meet again next week on Friday night for the second leg in Cairo Stadium. 

Tau's Egyptian rebirth continues as he nets a brace against Esperance.

Bafana Bafana forward, Percy Tau, scored twice when Al Ahly SC beat Esperance Tunis 3-0 in a CAF Champions League semi-final match played at Stade Olympique de Rades, Tunisia, on Friday night.

Tau opened the scoring as early as the 8th minute, before adding his second of the night 10 minutes after half-time. Ahly's third came in the 75th minute through Mahmoud Kahraba.

Despite playing in front of their home crowd, and enjoying more possession with 56% of the ball, Esperance were found wanting in the final third as they struggled to break down Ahly's defence.

They did, however, manage to fashion 13 goal attempts, with four of them ending up on target, without any desired results.

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On the other hand, although they saw less of the ball and final third actions, the Red Eagles were their old ruthless selves when they did manage to break through Esperance's defensive lines.

From their 10 goal attempts, Al Ahly managed to get four shots on target, with an impressive three ending up at the back of the net.

With their emphatic away win, and a 3-0 scoreline, Al Ahly are as good as in the CAFCL final, unless an unlikely magical performance from Esperance turns the game on its head.

The two sides meet again in Egypt next week for the second leg. 

We never put them there to fail - Bobby Motaung on Zwane and Sheppard.

Kaizer Chiefs football manager, Bobby Motaung, has hinted on a possible technical team addition for next season.

Chiefs, who are currently fourth on the Dstv Premiership, have had another disappointing, trophy less season.

Finishing outside of the top three will also mean missing out on continental football.

Amakhosi struggled with inconsistency, poor finishing, and glaring defensive errors this season, some of the factors that led to their desperate state.

Head coach, Arthur Zwane, and his assistant, Dillon Sheppard, have shouldered most of the criticism directed at the club's performances, with some sections of Chiefs fans believing they are out of their depth.

The feeling has been that they need an extra hand from an experienced coach to help them on the bench.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Bobby Motaung said their season review will guide their decision on how they can support the technical team, with additions made where necessary.

"Obviously, we're doing a review in terms of support, we need to support them. We never put them there to fail, we put them there to develop and help them grow," Motaung told SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/kaizer-chiefs-to-assess-gaps-in-technical-team-led-by-coach-arthur-zwane-bobby-motaung

"I think, when we do our review at the end of the season, we'll see where we need to beef up and where we need to support, and as I said, we're also learning from the challenges of this season.

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"We are definitely going to make sure that we assist and add more value to the [technical] staff and the players."

Mission accomplished, but is the Saudi dance over for Mosimane?

If there is a coach who continues to fly the flag high for South African coaches, it has to be none other than Pitso Mosimane.

One can only marvel at what Mosimane has achieved as a coach, from his days at SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly SC, and his current club, Al Ahli Saudi, whom he managed to lead back to the Saudi Pro League with four matches to spare.

But just after pulling off another great feat, the rumour mill says Al Ahli will not renew Mosimane's contract, and he could be on his way out.

If the rumours are true, it will be an absolute shock, considering the good work Mosimane has done with the club, but shocks are what we have come to expect in the world of football.

But again, if Mosimane does exit Al Ahli, it will paint a clear picture of what these so called 'big clubs' think of African coaches, which is a sensitive but glaring contrast to how European coaches are handled.

It happened to Mosimane with Al Ahly SC, it won't be much of a surprise if it happens again at Al Ahli Saudi, it is what it is.

Mosimane's agent, Moira Tlhagane, hasn't confirmed the rumours, but did say they are busy cooking some stuff, a surprise she doesn't want to spoil, which leaves the writing very clear on the wall for all who can read.

"I think South Africa knows that normally we wake up and then there is an action, so let’s not spoil the surprise. Let’s leave it at that, we’re still cooking some stuff," Tlhagale told Thabiso Mosia, as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/featured/pitso-linked-with-shock-al-ahli-exit/

"Where ever. [The] Mission has been accomplished but where to from here?

"Let’s just leave it [at that], we’ll announce."

Whatever happens will happen, but the truth is, based on his achievements, Mosimane is one coach who doesn't deserve a 'journey person' tag around his neck, he deserves more respect than he is afforded.