By Micheal Madyira
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena has already set his sights on the Fifa Club World Cup — after steering the Brazilians to the CAF Champions League knockout stage.
The 2023/24 Champions League winners will be guaranteed a CAF slot at the Club World Cup. Masandawana are still on course to winning it.
“I’m very proud of the players for finishing on top which was very important,” said Mokwena after beating TP Mazembe on Saturday.
“It ticks a lot of boxes. It gives us points for the Club World Cup. Iit gives us confidence going to the knockout round and it also makes sure that we continue to do what we are doing — which is to try winning every game that we play.”
Making the path to the Champions League final a more promising one for Sundowns, is the shock elimination of Wydad Casablanca, who finished third in Group B.
The Moroccans have denied Masandawana a place in the final a couple of times in recent seasons, including last year.
But another Sundowns’ nemesis — Al Ahly — remain in the competition, together with Esperance, Petro Atletico, Asec Mimosas, Young Africans, Simba SC and TP Mazembe.
After finishing on top of Group A, the Brazilians’ likely quarter-final opponents are the teams that finished as runners-up in Group B, C and D.
That means Mokwena and his men will have to worry about Simba, Esperance and Young Africans.
The Tshwane giants earned top spot, after beating TP Mazembe 1-0 at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
“I think we had a difficult group on the draw, when it came out initially. But I think we have done very well to finish on top of a very difficult group,” said Mokwena.
“We bounced back after the patch in between, with the results against Pyramids FC and TP Mazembe. But we showed [a] good mentality to bounce back and get positive results.”
Sundowns are bidding for their second Champions League crown, after winning their only title in 2016.
Pictured above: Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrating Peter Shalulile’s goal against TP Mazembe.
Image source: TP Mazembe
