'Nothing special about Mokwena, even Ntseki and Thobejane would shine at Downs' 

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Mamelodi Sundowns <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/african-football-league/fixtures-results/24xvg71qcrsiayaf2lj" target="_blank">defeated Wydad Casablanca 3-2 </a>on aggregate to be crowned the African Football League champions. It was sweet revenge for the Premier Soccer League champions who had fallen to the Moroccans in the semi-final of the 2022/23 Caf Champions League.Rhulani Mokwena was impressed with the overall performance of everyone associated with the club after securing his second trophy as the Brazilians' head coach.

Mokwena finds it 'difficult to talk!' - What Fifa president Infantino told Mamelodi Sundowns coach after AFL triumph

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"Congratulations to these amazing football players, I am very lucky to be their coach. Congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns, congratulations," a delighted Mokwena said."It’s for the fans, it’s for the Yellow Nation, it’s for this magnificent group of players, it’s for the chairman – unbelievable support he’s always given to me."It is difficult to talk," the coach added when asked what the victory meant for him. "The conditions are very difficult but God is good and God loves us all."

'It is difficult to talk...

Among the thousands who flocked the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane was Fifa president Gianni Infantino and after the game, he had a message to Masandawana's coach."If I can tell you something, as I walked onto the stage, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, the CAF president and our former club president congratulated me, and as I walked to the FIFA president Mr. Infantino, the first thing he said to me was ‘your team plays magnificent football'".

Infantino lauds Downs  

"We have been asked whether we would change our style of play, it’s very difficult because this club has a certain identity and we try by all means to always play well," Mokwena responded to queries about Downs' formula."We are not always going to win every game 4-0 or 6-0 because the reality is football by nature is a low-scoring game."In Cup finals you rarely see one team dominate the other."

The Brazilians will not change their style

Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro made a return to the team after several weeks out owing to injuries."As I always say the game belongs to the players... We see how much of a difference a half-fit Peter Shalulile makes, a half-fit Lucas Ribeiro makes to this team," the 36-year-old conceded."For this team to do what they’ve done without recognised strikers, the sacrifices from all these players, I think [Sphelele] Mkhulise has played as a false 9, Themba Zwane has played as a false 9, Tebogo Mokoena has played slightly higher up away in Morocco."

Half-fit Shalulile & Ribeiro important to Downs

Sundowns picked all three top awards after the conclusion of the competition. Thapelo Maseko was named the Most Valuable Player to add to the Top Scorer's Award.Ronwen Williams claimed the Golden Gloves Award having conceded just two goals throughout the competition.

Downs dominate awards

<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/zooming-into-the-pillars-of-mamelodi-sundowns-african-football-league-title-triumph-over-wydad-casablanca/blt623b650d2c3401c7" target="_blank">Fabrics of Sundowns' success </a><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/news/mamelodi-sundowns-overcome-wydad-casablanca-to-claim-first-african-football-league-title/blt988e3b23e1492f7a" target="_blank">Downs R75-million richer </a><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/african-super-league-teams-prize-money-format-and-everything-we-know-so-far/bltc2902c3d060913a9" target="_blank">African Football League: All you need to know</a>

Useful links

Mokwena finds it 'difficult to talk!' What Fifa president Infantino told Mamelodi Sundowns coach after AFL triumph | Goal.com South Africa

Youthful tactician over the moon after Mamelodi Sundowns&apos; triumph in the African Football League.

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