Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rhulani Mokwena has reacted to his side’s goalless draw against Wydad Casablanca in the first-leg of the CAFCL semi-final on Saturday night in Morocco.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ head coach, Rhulani Mokwena is expecting an atmosphere that will ‘push’ his side in the second leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final clash with Wydad Athletic Club.
This is following his team’s goalless draw in the first leg played at Stade Mohamed V. Stadium over the weekend. Sundowns had a challenging match, with Neo Maema sent off after 42 minutes following a VAR review.
In injury time, Marcelo Allende also received a red card, but despite the setbacks, Sundowns managed to salvage a goalless draw.
During the first half, Sundowns had a goal disallowed as Peter Shalulile was deemed slightly offside after a VAR review.
FT: Wydad Casablanca 🇲🇦 0-0 🇿🇦 Mamelodi Sundowns
— vumaSPORT (@vumaSPORT) May 13, 2023
Mamelodi Sundowns finish with 9 men in the 1st leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final tie, with Neo Maema & Marcelo Allende being sent off!#TotalEnergiesCAFCL#CAFCL pic.twitter.com/oTJs2NSNcy
“I thought before the red card we were very good, we scored, there were moments where we had 65% ball possession – here [at Stade Mohamed V],” he said after the match.
“I thought we were excellent actually, contrary to your statement. That’s why I give so much, so much praise to the players. They know it’s only half-time, so we keep our feet firmly on the ground.
“We’re still focussed on the second leg in Pretoria. We know that we will also have the ammunition also behind us, we will have a stadium that now knows how to play Champions League matches and push this team.
“So a lot of credit to them, credit to the technical team, who put in a lot of hard work in preparing for what is a difficult week.
“Congratulations to the football team, because the result under the circumstances feels like a victory but I’m the first to say that it’s only half-time.”
Sundowns are now scheduled to face Maritzburg United in their final DStv Premiership game on Tuesday, before hosting Wydad in the second leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
