Rulani Mokwena Warns Mamelodi Sundowns Ahead of Crucial CAF Champions League Clash

MC Alger coach Rulani Mokwena is taking a moment to celebrate his team's hard-earned 2-1 victory over Al Hilal Omdurman in the CAF Champions League before turning his attention to a decisive Group C finale against his former club, Mamelodi Sundowns.

The win at the Stade Ali La Pointe in Algiers was significant, and Rulani Mokwena emphasised the need to appreciate the achievement.

"Allow me to enjoy this victory first! Yes, 24 hours to enjoy this victory," he stated after the match. The result propelled MC Alger into second place in the group with seven points, keeping their qualification hopes firmly in their own hands.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

Rulani Mokwena explained the team's strategy, noting, "What (the win) does is it helps us keep things in our own hands. We targeted 10 points, and now we still have a chance with one more game to get 10 points."

Now, Rulani Mokwena has shifted his focus to securing three points against his former club, Mamelodi Sundowns, rather than a family reunion.

There is no doubt that the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach faces a pivotal week in his CAF Champions League journey.

"I don’t want to be taking the players to South Africa to go meet my family and friends," Rulani Mokwena stated before the match against Al Hilal. "We want to go to South Africa to get three points. But whether or not we go for a safari or for three points depends on what we do tomorrow night [against Al Hilal]."

Mokwena highlighted "perseverance" as the essential quality his Algerian side needs to keep their knockout stage aspirations alive.

"Otherwise, it would be nice to take the players on a nice safari," he quipped, underscoring his desire to avoid a meaningless final match for his homecoming.

Group C is proving to be one of the most tightly contested groups in the tournament. With both Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Hilal also competing for qualification, MC Alger are in a must-win situation.

While South African football fans eagerly anticipate Mokwena's return to Loftus Versfeld, the coach himself remains squarely focused on the immediate challenge in Algiers.