Coach Rulani has suggested that his charges’ focus is entirely on unleashing their full potential in the CAF Champions League. Aiming to march forward to the semi-finals, Masandawana will be looking to be at their level best and defeat Tanzanian outfit, Young Africans SC at home on Friday evening.
The return fixture will take place following a 0-0 stalemate in the first leg of the quarterfinals when Yanga played hosts in Dar es Salaam last weekend. Heading to what will be the decider, coach Rulani previewed the clash, stating that it won’t be an easy one, as the team anticipates.
“We are looking forward to what will be a very interesting game. I did say that Yanga are a very good side and you can see with their results and performances in their domestic league. They have a good coach in Miguel Ángel Gamondi and some good players in the team that have experience from some reputable countries. We expect a very difficult game on Friday, of course one that we are ready for,” he said.
The Johannesburg-born tactician further stated regardless of his men having home ground advantage and dominating possession in the first leg, they won’t be letting their guard down and undermine their counterparts. His charges are also looking to capitalise on previous experience to assist them in advancing to the next round.
“We are in a space where we have to think positive about the game. nothing else matters for us right now except for the 90 minutes. The focus is being at our best, understanding that Yanga are actually coming here to play the best team on the continent and we’ve got to be ready for that,” coach Rulani stated.
“The biggest lesson in the CAF games is that you can’t get too comfortable because the moment you get comfortable you are more vulnerable. Away from home where the score is 0-0, the potential of counterattacks can spin the narrative of the game. So, we will have to be very careful with our possession and when we feel comfortable. We have been in this situation before and hopefully that’s the experience we can use,” he continued.
In closing, coach Rulani emphasised the significance of having their 12th man, the Yellow Nation, on the stands on Friday evening. He maintains that the team’s performance relies on the supporters and the continuous singing which encourages them.
“Tomorrow the supporters will have to play and I asked them to play the way they played in the AFL against Al Ahly. We won that game because of our supporters. Not for any moment in the 90 minutes were they quiet and the drum kept being beaten. I honestly believe that if they come out in numbers, fill up the stadium and make it yellow on Friday, we will get an extra push. They also can’t suffer with us when we suffer, they’ve got to come, energise us and push us. If that can happen on Friday, then we’ve got a big advantage.”
However, after edging Young Africans 3-2 on penalties in the quarter-finals, Downs are now in the last four of the competitions and only a few matches away from dispelling any notions of a ‘curse’.
Mamelodi Sundowns do go head-to-head with Young Africans SC for the semi-final spot in the CAF Champions League on Friday evening at Loftus Versfeld. Kick off has been scheduled for 20H00 and gates open at 16H00.
