We have set the expectation that we can play well and win – Mokwena

Sunday’s African Football League final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Athletic Club poses a lot of questions on how coach Rhulani Mokwena sets up his charges against the Moroccan giants.

Going into the clash with a 2-1 deficit, the South Africans face the dilemma of going for an all-out attack that opens them up to being hit on the break or play their usual passing game and patiently carve the Wydad defense open.

Mokwena, who continues earning rave reviews across the continent for his tactical acumen says the style of play of his side remains unchanged and is a result of the standard that they have set for themselves of accompanying good football with results.

“Sometimes there is this feeling that I get that when we play well and we don't win, people are very quick to forget the result and focus on the performance. When we win, but we don't play well, people are very quick to forget the result and focus the performance and that's the pressure at Mamelodi Sundowns. It only comes because we've set the expectation that we can play well and win. We've shown that we are capable of doing that so it's our own fault sometimes that we are under pressure, not only to win but to play well and win” said Mokwena.  

Sundowns’ style of play was complemented by Wydad coach, Adil Ramzi who proudly stated that playing against Sundowns was “Football against Football” in complementing the appealing styles of play of both sides.

Kick off at the Loftus Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday is at 15h00 (13h00 GMT).