Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena believes that the Brazilians’ CAF Champions League quarter-final opponents Al Ahly are under pressure to successfully defend their trophy.
The Brazilians were drawn to play against the Egyptian giants in the last eight of the competition during a draw held in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday.
“Al Ahly are the defending champions. They have the pressure to get to the semi-finals. We consider this to be a competitive draw against a very good side with a very good coach. Someone we have a lot of respect for,” Mokwena said.
The former Chippa United coach added that he highly respects Al Ahly mentor Pitso Mosimane, who joined the Red Devils from the Brazilians in September 2020.
“Personally, I have a lot of respect because of the role he played in my coaching career as a coach, as a leader, as a mentor. Someone I learnt a lot from. We are looking forward to the challenge,” Mokwena said.
The quarter-final matches are going to be played on the weekend of 14-16 May.
The Brazilians humiliated Al Ahly giving them a 5-0 drubbing in Pretoria in April 2019. Sundowns were under Mosimane at the time.
