Rulani Mokwena’s homecoming clouded by spygate accusations as Mamelodi Sundowns prepare for must-win CAF Champions League clash

THE SUBPLOT to the final Group C match of the Total Energies CAF Champions League between Mamelodi Sundowns and MC Alger is far too appetising; it has somewhat overshadowed what is at stake.

Rulani Mokwena’s return to face his former club was always going to be the main talking point of this match. But the accusations that he has received inside information on the Brazilians from the club’s analyst Mario Masha — who has since been suspended — have served to add spice to an already hot clash.

Yet ahead of Saturday’s clash at Loftus Versfeld, the main protagonists were not getting distracted - at least that’s the impression Mokwena and Miguel Cardoso gave at the famous Pretoria rugby venue’s auditorium during their respective pre-match media conferences.

While he did tackle the issue head-on, Mokwena came across as a man solely focused on delivering the result for his current employers, intent as he is to make it into the knockout stage of the continent’s premier club competition.

“It’s been a great campaign so far for both teams. I think there were some very interesting games in the past, and some very interesting results also,” Mokwena told the media corps.

“But it's been quite an interesting, fascinating journey with our new team. We've earned the right to come into the last game and have the possibility of qualifying for the knockout.”

The young coach looked back at his club’s campaign with awe, given they had looked out of it early on.

“I've got to give incredible credit to a great group of players because it was very easy after three matches in the group with one point to give up and stop believing.

"But they've shown incredible mental strength to win the last two games and pick up six points. And of course, as you see what has happened now, we are in a position where we control our own destiny and we know we play against a team that was in the final last season.”

MC Alger need only draw the match to progress into the quarter-finals given that they will beat St Elois Lupopo via the head-to-head rules should the Congolese team beat Al Hilal to see all clubs finishing on eight points.

Sundowns, on the other hand, are in a win-at-all-costs situation sitting as they are in third place on six points – one behind their opponents while trailing leaders Al Hilal by two. Their coach Miguel Cardoso did his best to avoid speaking on ‘Mashagate’ but eventually did without really saying much. He was eloquent when he focused on the match though.

“Well, the last match of the Champions League group stage is an important match where there's a result to achieve. Obviously, as a consequence of our campaign, we arrived at the last match with the obligation to win but with an open scenario that we're going to fight for," said Cardoso.

The leaks drama notwithstanding, the Portuguese says all has gone swimmingly at Chloorkop this week.

“Preparation has been normal. No expected last-moment issues or losses in availability as we predicted. We will approach the game in the way we think we have to do, obviously preparing different scenarios that can happen throughout the match," said Cardoso.

"Our intention is very clear. Our demand is also very clear. We are up to the task, and that's what we're going to do from the first minute up to the last one, for sure.

"Of course, it's a big game, it's a decision, but we prepare for all matches the same, to always do our best and always try to win. This is another match that we prepared to win, and with confidence we're going to win.”

Not if Mokwena can help it though: “We know we play against a very, very good side tomorrow (day). toWe know that we play an away match tomorrow (today) but we believe in ourselves, we believe in our group, our work and we look forward to the test.

"It's going to be a difficult test but we believe that we also have a very, very good team — with a great spirit, with an incredible mentality and we look forward to the match tomorrow (today).”

Mamelodi Sundowns fans are looking forward to the match. South African football fans are looking forward to the match. The continent is looking forward to the match. Because not for a long time has the CAF Champions League delivered a match with such needle as this one.