Sundowns coach relishes one-goal lead over Al-Ahly

Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Rhulani Mokwena believes the important goal scored by 19-year-old teenage sensation, Thapelo Maseko in Sunday’s African Football League will play a huge role in Al Ahly’s game plan for the return leg in Cairo on Wednesday.

Masandawana overcame the Egyptian giants by a slender 1-0 victory in a highly anticipated match that has become a marquee fixture in African club football of the last few seasons.

Speaking from the Loftus stadium after the important victory, the 36-year-old tactician indicated that the goal they carry to Cairo plays a huge role in the reverse leg and gives the Red Devils something to worry about, as Sundowns are capable of getting another.

“We’ve got a goal in Cairo, and they know that too. They know Sundowns can score in Cairo and you could see it in the frustration of the players when they walked off the pitch,” said Mokwena.

“The first thing that they have got to think about is Sundowns must not score an away goal and so let’s see what happens.

“It’s going to be an interesting game and I think they also know that Sundowns have a got a goal in Cairo.”

Sundowns are one step closer of reaching #AFL final after a 1️⃣ -0️⃣ win over Al Ahly at home 🏟️#CAF | #FIFA pic.twitter.com/i13tRScJhT

— African Football League (@afl_africa) October 29, 2023

The north vs south clash between the two sides is fast becoming a fan favourite across the continent.

Their first meeting was the 13th time the two sides met with Sundown’s victory taking them to 5 over their opponents as compared to Ahly’s 4, with the other four fixtures concluding in a stalemate.

Source: CAF