Rulani: We Will Be In the Semi-Finals

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena has confidently stated they will be in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.

Sundowns lost their first-leg Champions League quarter-final 2-1 against Petro Atletico in Luanda on Saturday ahead of the return leg at FNB Stadium this coming week.

Tiago Azulao and Yano scored for the hosts as they overturned Lyle Lakay’s early opener from a free-kick but Mokwena feels they will rectify their errors in Johannesburg.

“We try to win to win every match but we lost the right match that gives us many lessons,” Mokwena said after the game.

“It reminds us that we are not invincible but in a very humble way we accept the lesson and move on.

“Now it’s to recover the team, get the body back. Watch the game over again, do the corrections and prepare for the second leg but we’ll be in the semi-finals.”

The Masandawana coach says the message at the break after going 2-1 down was not to do anything rash that could potentially make the task harder in the second leg.

“The message at halftime was not to be stupid, don’t chase it, manage the second half as best as you can,” he continued. “The next goal was meant to be our goal and if not ours then no goal, and we did that well – the positive is that we scored an important away goal.

“Win lose or draw, we would have to go to Joburg to win the match, so the objective does not change, we go back home to win the second leg.”