Mokwena relishes exciting knockout stage

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Rhulani Mokwena says it is important for an ambitious club like Mamelodi Sundowns to consistently be in the knockout phase of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.  

Mokwena, who was assistant to Pitso Mosimane when the South African side lifted its first continental title in 2016 has successfully taken the baton and spearheaded the team into being one of the best on the continent.

While the club from the nation’s capital enjoyed great success in the inaugural African Football League, the club is still nursing the gaping wound of last season’s semi-final loss to Morocco’s Wydad AC in a season where they looked unstoppable.

Speaking ahead of their final Group A match against TP Mazembe on Saturday, Mokwena said for the club to reclaim the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, which is something he believes will eventually happen, Sundowns must consistently be in the knockout stages of the competition.  

“It will take a lot of consistency, hard work and a lot of luck. You need a bit of luck. Looking at the AFCON and such high-level competitions, there isn’t much of a difference. I think if you look at Ivory Coast and how they won the AFCON, they were out, came back and eventually won it” said Mokwena.

The tactician, who just turned 37 in January also added that it was important for the club to consistently be in the knockout phase of the competition as that is what the title contenders do consistently in every season.

“You have to be in there. You have to be in the quarter-finals. You got to be in the semi-finals. You got to be in the finals. When you are there, you can then dream going further. You can feel the need to outstretch your wings and try to soar slightly higher than you have. As daunting a task as it may seem and sound, it’s something that is possible, but you have to go one game at a time then hopefully the football gods smile at you” concluded Mokwena.

Despite both sides having booked their ticket to the quarter-final, revenge will be on the cards for Sundowns who were edged 1-0 by Mazembe at home in December.

Kick-off at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday is at 13h00 GMT.