Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rhulani Mokwena stresses the importance of his club regularly advancing to the knockout stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League due to its ambitious nature.
Mokwena, who served as an assistant to Pitso Mosimane during Mamelodi Sundowns’ first continental title win in 2016, has successfully taken over as head coach and led the team to become one of the best on the continent.
While the club experienced success in the inaugural African Football League, they still feel the sting of last season’s semifinal loss to Morocco’s Wydad AC, especially after a season where they seemed unstoppable.
Speaking before their final Group A match against TP Mazembe on Saturday, Mokwena emphasized the importance of consistently reaching the knockout stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. He believes that for Sundowns to reclaim the championship, they must maintain a presence in the tournament’s later stages, which he is confident will eventually lead to success.
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Mokwena emphasized that achieving success in competitions like the AFCON requires consistency, hard work, and a bit of luck. He cited the example of Ivory Coast’s AFCON victory, where they faced setbacks but ultimately triumphed.
The 37-year-old coach highlighted the importance of consistently reaching the knockout phase of the competition, as top title contenders do every season. This sustained presence in the later stages increases the team’s chances of eventually winning the championship.
Mokwena emphasized the importance of progressing through the stages of the competition, from the quarter-finals to the semi-finals and ultimately to the finals. He stressed the need to take it one game at a time and remain focused. He expressed optimism that with determination and a bit of luck, achieving higher goals in the tournament is possible.
Regarding the upcoming match against Mazembe, Sundowns will be seeking revenge after their 1-0 defeat at home in December.
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