Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena is calling on the Yellow Nation to bring the drum and silence the visiting Young Africans. Sundowns are at Loftus Versfeld Stadium to welcome their Tanzanian counterparts in the CAF Champions League. Mokwena now wants the fans to play their part as they look to reach the semi-finals of the continental tournament.
The reigning DStv Premiership champions drew blanks last weekend as they were held at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium last weekend. Heading to the second leg tie at home, Mokwena reflects on how they clinched the African Football League title against Wydad Casablanca last year.
Sundowns: Mokwena Urges Yellow Nation to Rally Behind Them
The astute manager also explained why the Masandawana fans play a vital role as they are expected to bring a hostile atmosphere to Yanga. At the same time, he says it was important to kill the game in Tanzania but he is hopeful they can reach the next stage.
“It’s very important to kill off the game early, that’s why in my post-match interview last week I spoke to the supporters,” Mokwena said ahead of the game. Tomorrow they have to play and I ask them to play the way they played against Al Ahly in the AFL, we won the game because of our fans, there were no moments where they were quiet in the 90 minutes.”
“That drum kept beating and beating and beating and I honestly believe that tomorrow, if they come up in their numbers, fill the stadium, and make it yellow, they make the opposition uncomfortable throughout and even in suffering moments, they can’t suffer with us. They have to energise us, push us, and give us that extra push and sometimes that’s where we have it with the Sundowns fans, when we suffer they suffer, they can’t suffer with us tomorrow – they have to come and energise us and push us.”
Sundowns vs Yanga: Mokwena on the Energy From Fans
The AFL title holder, Mokwena hopes the match can bring scores of fans and will spur his men to glory against Miguel Gamondi’s side. The eagerly anticipated clash will be staged at Loftus at 20:00 on Friday.
“I think if that can happen tomorrow we have a big, big advantage when Loftus is buzzing when the Yellow Nation is signing and the energy they are able to give us, then the players just go out and perform, it’s what you need in the Champions League,” added Sundowns mentor, Mokwena.
“Home ground needs to be taken advantage of, that’s not just playing surface or the comfort of being at home is actually about the supporters making the stadium a cathedral, a place of worship and tomorrow they have to worship the team. They have to support the team and energise the team and really at that moment if they do that we should be alright.”
