Confident Mokwena talks up Sundowns v Al Ahly: 'We want to be in control of our destiny'

Mamelodi Sundowns are again in Egypt and have been for an extended period due to their CAF Champions League commitments.

Last week, they arrived in the North African nation playing Sudanese outfit Al-Merrikh in a home-away-from-home encounter.

Sundowns and Al-Merrikh walked away with a solitary point following a goalless draw in their Group A encounter at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo.

On Saturday, 20km from the Al-Salam Stadium, Masandawana will take to the field at the 75 000-seater Cairo International Stadium.

Thousands of roaring Al Ahly fans are expected to watch the visitors come up against the Egyptian giants.

This will be the third straight CAF campaign that Sundowns meet Al Ahly in Africa's biggest club competition. It will also be the third match that former Sundowns boss Pitso Mosimane will lead the Red Devils against his former employers.

Mosimane is yet to taste defeat against Sundowns and will hope to keep that record intact.

Sundowns and Ahly fans alike have had their eye on this encounter since the draw was completed last December, with Mosimane, ironically, drawing the Sundowns' name out the pot.

The Brazilians co-coach Rulani Mokwena is confident that his star-studded DStv Premiership outfit has what it takes to "control" their "destiny" when the two African football giants meet.

"We are prepared. We know where they are strong. We've watched their games," said Mokwena, speaking to the club's media department.

"It is games like this that preparation also becomes an invisible match, if you want to put it like that because there will be a lot of work going into this match.

"And sometimes with the universe, you've got to also put yourself in a position where the universe can think about you when the universe thinks