Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena has given some insight into how their upcoming CAF Champions League opponents play.
Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena has given some insight into how their upcoming CAF Champions League opponents play.
Former African champions Sundowns take on Maniema Union in their opening game of this season’s edition, after getting a bye in the preliminary round of the competition. The defending DSTV Premiership champions left for DRC on Friday and will face their opponents on Sunday afternoon.
Mokwena explained why they left later than usual and predicted what formation their opponents are likely to use.
“We are very familiar with the terrain, the environment, the weather and maybe that is why we manipulated what would be a normal program for us. We would normally travel three or four days prior to the match, but we left a little bit closer to the match because of some of the situations we know we would face in relation to the lack of proper training facilities. So, the feeling was to maybe complete the preparations here (in South Africa) and move towards a matchday minus one, where we can acclimatize ourselves to the stadiums and get a feel of the ambiance, get a feel for the pitch.
“We worked on the opposition and we know they play a 4-2-3-1. We know the profile of the opponents and personality that they have. In both matches of the round of qualifiers, the system was more or less the same. They posed problems with regards to how they attack, direct and with very aggresive wing play and very aggresive overlapping movements of the fullbacks and quick strikers. We've got to be wary of the transitions and the set pieces.”
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