Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena was full of praise for his side after they secured their place in the final of the African Football League.
The Brazilians went in to their semi-final second leg with a 1-0 advantage from the first leg and recorded a 0-0 draw at the Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday.
It was a battling performance from Mokwena’s side that saw Ronwen Williams save a penalty and Junior Mendieta sent off late on.
Sundowns will now face Wydad AC in the two legged final to take place on Sunday 5 November and Saturday 11 November.
Speaking after the game, a delighted Mokwena said in the Citizen: “Football has the power to unite people and we will always have the respect for Al Ahly and Egypt.
Rulani Mokwena , Sundowns coach 🎙️
— African Football League (@afl_africa) November 1, 2023
"I'm very, very proud of the performance of my Sundowns players" 🟡💪#AFL | #CAF | #FIFA pic.twitter.com/fw8Uu5UwrC
“So with a lot of humility I sit in front of you, first commiserations to Al Ahly. With a lot of humility and respect.
“But also allow me to congratulate Mamelodi Sundowns in front of your presence. Mamelodi Sundowns showed a lot of character but also gyle and perseverance in what was a very difficult 90 and 7 minutes against a very strong team.
“I must be honest and I must tell you that this semi-final was won in South Africa in the first leg. That 1-0 result was very big.
“And I would like to congratulate the entire club, the players, the management of the team, but most importantly the Mamelodi Sundowns supporters, because when we were at home they pushed us over the line. And our fans played a very important role in seeing us go to the final.”
