Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has expressed his satisfaction with the way his men performed as they booked their spot in the CAF Champions League group stages.
The Brazilians progressed to the Champions League group stages with a 6-0 win on aggregate over the Burundian side, Bumamuru in the second preliminary round.
After winning the first leg 4-0 in Tanzania two weeks ago, Rulani Mokwena men beat Bumamuru 2-0 in the second leg at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday evening.
Mothobi Mvala opened the scoring for the Tshwane giants early in the game, before Teboho Mokoena added his name on the scoresheet for Masandawana in the second half.
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“From the chairman, leadership of the Motsepe family, the rest of the board and the management structure, there is an experience and space that puts us at a level where the bare minimum expectation and the requirement is to make sure that the team is always in the group stages,” said Mokwena.
“It’s not easy, we have had incredible experiences, even my bit of experience being part of the technical team, even previously as an assistant coach. We have had some very difficult games in this competition.
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“I remember a game against Chicken Inn, which was so difficult to qualify against. So these games can easily become Banana skin and if you don’t respect the opposition, respect the club and respect the games, you could find yourself in a bit of trouble.
“That’s why we have to give compliments to this group for their mentality, professionalism and how they go about going again and again and again, winning and that’s very important.
“So, I’m happy with the performance. I always try to ask for more from the players, and they always try to give more and improve. So I am satisfied with the performance.”
Mokwena and his charges will have at least a week to prepare for their MTN8 final against the Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabidha Stadium on Saturday, 07 October.