‘It’s written in the stars’: Mokwena ahead of Wydad AFL final tie
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has dialed down the pressure on his players as they prepare to take on Wydad Athletic in the African Football League [AFL] final.
The AFL final will play in two-legged fixtures, with the first leg set to take place on Sunday, 5 November in Morocco.
With the first leg set to take place in Casablanca, Downs departed to Morocco from Egypt. The kick-off time will be confirmed in due course.
Mokwena braced his side for a pulsating AFL final against Wydad, who eliminated them in the semis of the CAF Champions League last term.
Masandawana progressed to the final after beating Egyptian giants Al Ahly with a 1-0 scoreline on aggregate. Thapelo Maseko’s solo goal in the semi-final first leg was enough to earn the Tshwane giants a spot in the finals.
Meanwhile, Wydad advanced to the final after defeating Esperance 5-4 on penalties.
RULANI MOKWENA MOTIVATES HIS PLAYERS TO FINISH WHAT THEY HAVE STARTED
After their victory against Al Ahly, the Brazilians’ mentor, Mokwena, called for calm from his players. He insisted that they finish off what they had started.
“Very close to glory. Two more games to go,” said Mokwena to his troops.
“Listen to me, you [players] will decide to write another story, only you. In the last three seasons of the Champions League we got knocked out by Petro, and we were then knocked out by Wydad.
“So, Wydad is coming next. Now we finished with Al Ahly and before Al Ahly it was Pedro.
“You have to finish it [beat Wydad]. It’s written in the stars. You have got to believe it.”
The return leg will take place at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, 11 November 2023.
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