Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena continued to shower his players with praise following their remarkable performance in the goalless draw against Al Ahly in the African Football League (AFL) semifinal second leg in Cairo on Wednesday. This hard-fought draw secured Masandawana’s passage to the final of the inaugural competition, as they triumphed 1-0 on aggregate.
In the upcoming two-legged final, they are set to face Wydad Casablanca, with the first leg taking place in Morocco on Sunday, followed by the return leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on November 11.
Mokwena commended his players for displaying unwavering character, especially in a match where goalkeeper Ronwen Williams’s heroic penalty save in the first half played a pivotal role in keeping his side in the game.
“The players exhibited remarkable character and resilience during a very challenging 90 minutes, plus seven minutes of added time, against a formidable opponent,” Mokwena conveyed during the post-match press conference. “I must be honest and acknowledge that this semifinal was essentially won in South Africa during the first leg. The 1-0 result was of great significance, and I would like to extend my congratulations to the entire club, the players, the team’s management, and, most importantly, the loyal supporters.
“When we were at home, they rallied behind us, pushing us over the line, and our fans played a pivotal role in propelling us to the final. This group of players is prepared to put their hearts and souls into serving this club.”
Mokwena recognized that facing Al Ahly in front of their fervent supporters was always going to be a challenging task, but his players demonstrated extraordinary determination in eliminating the Red Devils.
“When you go up against Al Ahly in front of 50,000 fans, it’s expected that you’ll endure periods without possession. During those moments, we urged our players to stand together, face adversity as a unit, and exhibit humility,” he explained. “However, we were well aware that we would have opportunities to regain possession and assert our strength. That’s why I want to give the players tremendous credit for their incredible fight and remarkable character.”
Additionally, Mokwena extended his congratulations to the club, Ronwen Williams, and Peter Shalulile for their nominations in the Club of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, and Player of the Season categories.
“They are a testament to the collective hard work and dedication of everyone at the club, and I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to them and all those who have made valuable contributions to the team.”
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