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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Downs play Esperance for the first time since 2017/18 season</li><li>Mokwena not anticipating an easy ride</li><li>Cardoso opens up on preparations</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Mamelodi Sundowns' Mokwena expects 'hostility' in Tunisia as Cardoso promises to 'correct mistakes' after Esperance's league draw

Ligue I

Esperance

CS Sfaxien

Premier Soccer League

Kaizer Chiefs

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Rhulani Mokwena's Mamelodi Sundowns made it to the last four after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/yanga-sc-were-robbed-of-a-spectacular-goal-against-mamelodi-sundowns-masandawana-looked-like-amateurs-with-no-creativity-fans/blt4a3a627fa0647734" target="_blank">controversially eliminating Tanzanian champions Yanga SC</a> from the Caf Champions League.Tunisian heavyweights Esperance defeated Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas in the quarter-final to set a date with the Premier Soccer League champions.Mokwena is not anticipating a smooth ride in the first leg of the semi-final to be played at the Hammadi Agrebi Stadium on Saturday.

WHAT HAPPENED?

"I expect hostility and tough conditions. Esperance are a good team, [they drew 1-1 against Monastir away in the domestic league] last weekend," the 37-year-old told the media.

WHAT MOKWENA SAID

Esperance tactician Miguel Cardoso rued mistakes in his team's league outing and promised to work on them ahead of Downs' date."We will correct our mistakes [from Monastir] as part of our preparation for this match," he told the club's media team."The technical staff is already hard at work and we will be ready on D-Day. I am confident that we have the resources to achieve great things. We need to stay focused, stay together, and give our best in every game."If we do that we will be difficult to stop."

AND WHAT IS MORE

In the 2022/23 edition, Masandawana fell against Wydad Casablanca in the semi-final and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/what-curse-rhulani-mokwena-mamelodi-sundowns-successfully-negotiate-caf-champions-league-quarter-final-against-young-africans/blt4badae863fb86307#cs7c67365d359540eb" target="_blank">Mokwena has promised to go all the way this time</a>.It was the same case with the Tunisians in the last edition as they fell in the last-four stage against Al Ahly who eventually won the competition.The latest meeting between the two sides was in the 2017/18 season in the group stage. Masandawana lost 2-1 at home before drawing 0-0 away.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Mokwena will have to ensure his team is prepared mentally and psychologically to stand a chance of getting a positive outcome away.It will be vital for the North Africans to avoid conceding an away goal which will jeopardise their chances of advancing.

WHAT NEXT?

Mamelodi Sundowns' Mokwena expects 'hostility' in Tunisia as Cardoso promises to 'correct mistakes' after Esperance's league draw | Goal.com South Africa

Rhulani Mokwena and Miguel Cardoso speak ahead of Esperance against Mamelodi Sundowns in Caf Champions League semi-final

Mamelodi Sundowns&apos; Mokwena expects &apos;hostility&apos; in Tunisia as Cardoso promises to &apos;correct mistakes&apos; after Esperance&apos;s league draw

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