Sundowns’ gear up for Valentine’s Day CAF Test against former coach

No love will be lost when Mamelodi Sundowns host MC Alger in the final Group C CAF Champions League clash on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

An inconsistent pool showing from the Brazilians has seen them win just one of their five games to leave them third in the standings, and needing to win on order to advance to the quarterfinals.

In their way stands a familiar face in Rulani Mokwena, whose MC Alger side are top of the log, having won two of their five games.

They also need to win to advance to the knockout rounds.

“We have a match to play that we would always play to win, we don’t play to draw. When you play to draw, you usually lose,” Sundowns mentor Miguel Cardoso said about their approach for the Valentine's Day clash.

“We have to be brave enough to face the next match. We already played MC Alger, and it will be a difficult match, but there is a difficult test for strong people. So, we are playing in front of our public, and I hope they understand they have to support us, come in numbers, put in the energy, and help us.”

The job for last season’s runners up has not been made easier amid multiple media reports that they have parted ways with Mario Masha, who has been a member of the technical team for the past decade.

He is allegedly being investigated for leaking tactical and training information and access codes for data platforms.

His speculated suspension comes on the back of a vague statement made by Cardoso, following their 1-1 draw with St Eloi Lupopo on Sunday.

“We hope that on the day of the match (against MC Alger) we have a full stadium to support the team, and nothing more,” the Portuguese taction said after the game.

“I hope the opponent doesn’t guess or know how we are going to play. I hope that is controlled so we can make it a fair game from our side.”

As for the opposing bench, Mokwena will be putting his affection for the Tshwane side aside when they travel to face his former club.

Failure to secure victory for the 15-time PSL champions would see them eliminated in the group stages for just the second time in 11 campaigns since they lifted the title back in 2016.

“Allow me to enjoy this victory first! Yes, 24 hours to enjoy this victory,” Mokwena said after their 2-1 home victory over Al Hilal on Friday, which moved them to the top of Group C.

“What (the win) does is it helps us keep things in our own hands. We targeted 10 points and now we still have a chance with one more game to get 10 points. Good team [Al-Hilal]. Of course, you see why they have 8 points in this group and why they are in top in that position.

“It’s a tough group. A lot of people don’t understand it’s a very, very difficult group. We were unfortunate to lose in Rwanda (the first meeting with Hilal) but we’ve made an agreement not to lose to the same team twice.”