Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena at the Loftus Versveld Stadium. Image: BackpagePix.
Mamelodi Sundowns held by Yanga in Tanzania
Mamelodi Sundowns and Young Africans played out to a goalless draw in the first leg of their CAF Champions League last eight clash.
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena at the Loftus Versveld Stadium. Image: BackpagePix.
Mamelodi Sundowns returned to CAF Champions League action on Saturday evening when the traveled to the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium to face Young Africans.
The Brazilians were held to a draw by ‘Yanga’ in the first leg of their quarterfinal clash.
Despite bossing the possession, Rhulani Mokwena’s side were unable to get a vital away goal from first leg.
The second leg will be played next weekend at Loftus Versfeld stadium.
Young Africans 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns XI: Williams, Lebusa, Kekana, Zungu, Mudau, Lunga, Mokoena, Lorch, Allende, Ribeiro, Shalulile.
Subs: Onyango, Esquivel, Aubaas, Modiba, Mkhulise, Morena, Maseko, Mvala, Matthews.
Action at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium gets under way at 20:00. The match will be televised live on SABC1.
Today’s clash is only the third time Mamelodi Sundowns and Yanga are meeting. The previous two clashes took place in 2001. Sundowns earned a 3-2 home victory while the away leg ended in a 3-3 draw.
We want to be the best – Mokwena
“I spent some time in Brazil in the off-season and during the break in early parts of January, what we’ve done is incredible, you go to Brazil [and] they speak, ‘Ow! You are the Mamelodi Sundowns coach’,” Rhulani Mokwena said as quoted by Goal.
“The first thing they talk about is the type of football we’re playing at almost every single club. You go to Fluminense, they ask ‘How do you also get the team to play like that?’
“You go to Flamengo, you go to Vasco, Botafogo and they also say ‘unbelievable’. They follow Mamelodi Sundowns, it’s incredible,”
“If the team has that type reach only based on performances on the pitch you can just imagine we scale into the Club World Cup space how much potential does this football club have.
“So it’s the ambition of the club and it’s one we have to work very, very hard to try to reach but for sure with the quality that Mamelodi Sundowns have, the support we get from the club it’s a possibility for sure,”
