Heavy travel schedule no worries for Sundowns coach Mokwena

Johannesburg - Mamelodi Sundowns have been around the block long enough to endure the difficulties that come with playing continental football.

That they had a heavy travelling schedule and will play Al-Merrikh at a neutral venue will not deter them.

The Brazilians have qualified for the African Champions League for the last eight seasons, having won the local league on six occasions and finished as runners-up twice. They’ve been so good that they also conquered the continent back in 2016.

On Monday, fresh from their gruelling 1-1 draw with Baroka in a SA Premiership match away from home, they had to travel from Polokwane immediately after the match to Johannesburg by bus as they were rushing to catch an early flight to Ethiopia.

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They took six hours to get to Ethiopia before boarding a four-hour connecting flight to Cairo where they’ll meet Al-Merrikh at a neutral Al-Saalam Stadium on Friday for their second encounter in the group stage of the Champions League.

Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena, who was part the technical team that won the African crown six years ago, says they have weathered most of the adversities that they’ve come across so they should be ready for the encounter.

“It’s difficult but we have to soldier on. Our players have got a lot of experience in dealing with these types of conditions. Everything has been going well also. We are in a good space and looking forward to a very interesting match,” he said.

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