Interview
Mokwena anticipates robust CAFCL battles
MC Alger head coach Rulani Mokwena is braced for robust battles in Group C of the CAF Champions League forward of their opener in opposition to Al-Hilal Omdurman in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday (15h00).
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The Algerian champions have been pitted alongside Mamelodi Sundowns, and FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo of the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with the Sudanese heavyweights.
With their curtain raiser looming, the South African mentor believes qualifying for the knockout levels will not be a simple process, citing their opponents’ pedigree of their respective home leagues.
“We’re quietly assured about our possibilities and in addition excited to be within the group levels. For the primary time the membership is within the group levels back-to-back and so we’re wanting ahead to a different good run within the Champions League and we’re very excited,” mentioned Mokwena.
“Group levels of the Champions League, very troublesome. Simply final evening I used to be learning all the opposite completely different teams, I believe we’re one of many two teams which have three league champions in it and that already is troublesome.
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“Solely Lupopo have been runners-up of their home league however the remainder of the three groups are league champions, that tells you the extent of the groups, the issue that you’ll face with the video games and we now have to respect that.
Whereas he’s cautious of the opposition, the previous Sundowns and Wydad Casablanca boss is upbeat about his crew’s possibilities as he’s desperate to information MCA to the latter levels of the competitors.
“But additionally we’re very snug and very assured in our profile as a membership, in our ambition as a workers, as a bunch of gamers and we perceive the membership that we signify, so we need to do higher than we did final season and naturally it begins with qualifying from the group,” he added.
“And meaning it’s a must to begin match by match and it is a crucial match for us. Three groups on this group have been within the quarterfinals and possibly even past of the Champions League final season and solely two could make it this season and we need to be one of many two.
MCA reached the quarterfinals of Africa’s premier membership competitors final season, the place they have been knocked out by Orlando Pirates.
