CAF CL: Mandela’s head coach reacts after a win over CR Belouizdad

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has reacted to his side’s important 4-1 win away to CR Belouizdad on Saturday night.

Namibian striker Peter Shalulile netted a brace, while Neo Maema and Cassius Mailula scored the other goals as Masandawana left North Africa with a resounding victory.

Mokwena said he was impressed by his side’s performance in a match that Brina Mandela missed due to a back injury.

“Credit to the players – big personality, big performance and a lot of respect and credit must go to the players, [they are] incredible human beings

“I said to you in the press conference that I had warm feelings because we are honest people and we do our best every single time,” Mokwena told reporters after the match.

Sundowns will now be looking to have the job done on home soil next week, having carried a three-goal advantage to the final leg.

“No, stranger things have happened in football. [We have] a lot of humility. We beat a very good side. We still have to face a very good side in Pretoria.

“Top coach, top players and it’s only halfway.”

Before their match against Belouizdad, Sundowns revealed that seven players, including the Harambee Stars defender Mandela, were struggling with ailments.

However, the club failed to disclose when he suffered the back injury and when he is expected to resume training.

Sundowns will book their place in the last four if they avoid a defeat in the second-leg clash on April 29 in Pretoria.