Mamelodi Sundowns respects every team in Group A, not just Al Ahly, says coach Rhulani Mokwena

Johannesburg - Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena has emphasized that every game in the CAF Champions League group stage is important, and that is why they won’t put all their eggs in one basket by just focusing on champions Al Ahly.

The South African kings have had a decent start in their continental group stage campaign. They amassed four points after two matches, beating Al Hilal at home before drawing 0-0 with Al-Merrikh at a neutral Al Saalam Stadium on Saturday.

The match was taken to Cairo due to political unrest in Sudan. And Sundowns felt hard-done by the draw, given that they had a dominant first half with clear chance scoring opportunities - only to be let down by poor finishing and good goalkeeping.

Moreover, a win wouldn't have only given them comfort at the top of the log in Group A, but it would have served as a huge morale booster ahead of their clash against continental champions Al Ahly at Cairo International Stadium on Saturday.

Coached by former Sundowns’ mentor Pitso Mosimane, the Egyptian giants are tipped to be the team to beat in the group albeit a disappointed start after drawing with Al Hilal away from home on Friday night in their first match in the group.

But Mokwena is convinced that it would be naïve of them to just focus on Al Ahly who are fresh from finishing third in the FIFA Club World Cup. Instead, he says they have to play to win their remaining four matches to qualify for the next round.

“We are very aware that it’s a tough group. We can never make that mistake of focusing all our attention on Al Ahly,” Mokwena said. “It’s a group where 12 points put you in a position to qualify (for the quarter-finals) as the winners of the group.

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