While Sundowns dropped points for the first time at the group stage, MC Alger gained a point after an initial loss to Al Hilal. This was a crucial match for both Downs and Mokwena, as they met for the first time since parting ways over one year ago. Masandawana remain at the top of the table, but that could change depending on the result of the other group games.
The Tshwane giants travel to Algeria, where they will battle it out at the Ali La Pointe Stadium on Friday evening against their former coach Rhulani Mokwena, whose side is wounded after a disappointing start to the CAF Champions League group stage. Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns supporters remain divided — some still yearning for Mokwena’s return due to dissatisfaction with current coach Miguel Cardoso, while others hope this clash will prove that the former Orlando Pirates mentor was not necessarily the ideal candidate either.
However, once the whistle blows, all off-field debates fall aside, as both teams will be equally tested in their pursuit of crucial group-stage points.
The 38-year-old tactician did not have a good start to the CAF Inter-Club Group D assignment after falling against a Sudanese outfit on Friday. It was a massive blow to the former Masandawana coach, who is desperate to win the prestigious continental annual club competition after reaching the quarter-final and semi-final in the initial editions with the South African heavyweights.
The Algerian champions began their group campaign on a sour note after suffering a 2-1 defeat to the Sudanese giants at Al Hilal's temporary home ground, Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday. It was a disappointing outing in which they struggled to impose themselves despite some periods of promise. For The Doyen’s South African coach, it was a forgettable game as his side could not make use of their numerical advantage late in the match.
The South African tactician extended his unbeaten run in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 as MC Alger secured a hard-fought win over relegation-threatened El Bayadh on Sunday. The result keeps Mokwena’s side firmly atop the standings and adds further momentum to their impressive domestic campaign.
Al Hilal Omdurman
