Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena is desperate for his two dangermen, he prays to have Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro back for the Al Ahly clash.
Sundowns booked their spot in the semi-finals of the inaugural African Super League and will now meet Ahly on Sunday in Tshwane.
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After the quarter-final contest against Petro Luanda, Mokwena says he would like to have Shalulile and Riveiro against Ahly as they make a huge difference.
The duo, Ribeiro and Shalulile are out nursing injuries and Mokwena wants Sundowns to have all the firepower to overcome Ahly.
MOKWENA PRAYS FOR SHALULILE & RIBEIRO’S RETURN FOR AHLY
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Mokwena saw a 10-men Sundowns hold Luanda to a goalless draw on Tuesday night following a 2-0 win in Luanda last weekend.
The 36-year-old astute Sundowns mentor heaps praise on his troops for their gallant display at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
“Collectively I think they were outstanding and the level is very good. The level is good not just from Riva [Rivaldo Coetzee],” Mokwena said per SABC.
“But from all the players but of course as I said they know that tomorrow there’ll be video clips that show things that we could have done better.
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“We always have that growth mindset where we do our corrections and we sit and we analyse and we try to improve the individual performances so that we can improve the collective.”
Following their passage to the final of the lucrative AFL competition, Sundowns will now host the Egyptians, Ahly on Sunday.
MOKWENA HOPES TO HAVE TOP STRIKERS BACK FOR AHLY TIE
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As they now prepare for the eagerly anticipated clash also dubbed an African derby, Mokwena adds that he hopes to have his top strikers.
“My prayer is just that he resuscitates and he brings back Lucas and Peter or Thapelo as soon as we possibly can because for sure they make a big difference,” he adds.
“Again, you’ve gotta complement the rest of the players that have come in and they’ve shown that we can count on them.
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“Gaston [Sirino] has done exceptionally well since his return, he’s shown incredible humility but that’s life, you know.”
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