Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has sent a warning to defending African champions Wydad Casablanca ahead of their showdown later this week.
Sundowns visit Wydad on Friday night before hosting them a week later in a CAF Champions League two-legged semi-final.
Mamelodi Sundowns bounced back to winning ways on the local scene when they beat Marumo Gallants 2-0 in a DStv Premiership clash played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
Mokwena was full of praise for his team and quickly emphasised the need for recovery as the team gears up for the trip up North to face Wydad.
“Congratulations to the football club and congratulations to the players. [I am] proud of them. It was a significant win for us. For now, our goal is to recover, to get back to Johannesburg, sleep and get the legs back as much as possible.”
Mokwena shared how they will approach the Wydad encounter on Friday.
“It’s going to be tricky. We’re going to do our analysis now. The most important thing now is good rest and lots of water. We expect a tough game, a hostile crowd, and much difficulty. They are a good team with a new coach, as you have seen. But they should also expect a good team.”
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“[They should expect] a team that will come there and be brave to play. We have to enjoy the opportunity and the occasion.”
He went on to wish Marumo Gallants well as they perform continental duties in Tanzania on Wednesday. They visit Young Africans at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Wednesday before hosting them in South Africa a week later.
“We wish Marumo Gallants the very best, they are South African, and they represent the entire country, and we wish them everything of the best.”
Meanwhile, Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams set a new PSL record, keeping his 18th clean sheet of the season.
Williams capped off a fine start to his Masandawana career after joining the club at the beginning of the season.
Mokwena lauded the Bafana Bafana captain for the feat.
“We are very proud of ‘Ronza’ and the team. As I say, individual awards only reflect the team’s contribution. It’s a team performance and record, and we’re very proud of everyone at the football club.”