Mokwena: We have to fight the defending champions

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Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena says his side will have to fight and give their all against the defending Caf Champions League champions Wydad Casablanca when they meet at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Brazilians travelled to the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca last weekend looking for a positive result but they were unable to bypass the Wydad defence and settled for a goalless draw in Morocco.

Sundowns and Wydad will now square off again this time in the semi-final second leg as both teams look to book their place in the final of the continental competition.

However, Mokwena has urged his side to be caution against Wydad as he reminds them that they Moroccan side are the defending champions of the competition.

“It’s the Champions league against the defending champions,” Mokwena told his club’s official website.

“We still have to play another 90 minutes [in Pretoria]. I am just very proud of the players for a gallant performance, incredible discipline, incredible tactical flexibility and adaptation in very difficult circumstances.

“There’s a lot of clubs that have won the Champions League more than us. There’s a lot of clubs that have more pressure than us to win the Champions League every single year because they’ve done it more.

“Wydad are the defending Champions and we just have to keep doing the best that we can. We have to fight, play well and give the best that we can to this football club and enjoy the opportunity because we know that it doesn’t come to everybody.”

The Brazilians host the return leg in Pretoria on Saturday, May 20 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Photo by Nour Akanja/BackpagePix