Mokwena’s one-year anniversary marked by edging Petro to set up Ahly semi

On the occasion of Rulani Mokwena’s one-year anniversary since he took over as sole head coach, Mamelodi Sundowns progressed to the African Football League (AFL) semifinal stage to face rivals Al Ahly. 

The Brazilians played to a 0-0 draw with Angolan side Petro Atlético in the second leg on their return to Loftus on Tuesday night for an aggregate score of 2-0. 

Sundowns will meet Al Ahly in the first leg of the semifinal on Sunday afternoon at Loftus with the return leg in Cairo on Wednesday. The two-legged final is on November 5 and 11. 

Al Ahly, who Sundowns put five goals past in the Caf Champions League in 2019 and earlier this year, qualified for the semifinals by overcoming Simba of Tanzania on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate score. 

Though they did not win or score on the night, there was a mood of celebration to mark Mokwena’s milestone of a year in charge where he has only lost once in 50 matches. 

Under the coach, Sundowns have won 35 of their 50 matches with 14 draws and one defeat, which is the best win rate for the club coach in the history Premier Soccer League (PSL). 

Mokwena made three changes to the team that beat Atlético 2-0 in the first leg at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda last weekend. 

To protect the two-goal cushion, Downs' coach put Rivaldo Coetzee in for Sphelele Mkhulise while in the attack he started with Thapelo Maseko and Gaston Sirino in the places of Grant Kekana and Junior Mendieta.

Sundowns got off to a disappointing start as defender Mothobi Mvala was shown a red after only two minutes by referee Mustapha Ghorbal for a professional foul. Mvala was adjudged to have fouled advancing Petro Atlético attacker Tiago Leal who had a good scoring opportunity as he had a clear sight at Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

This was the second mistake by Mvala in quick succession as he conceded a penalty in the first leg in Angola, where his blushes were saved by Williams, who denied Miguel Vieira from the spot and Alexandre Guedes on the rebound.

Mvala’s early shower forced Mokwena to change his rearguard, dropping Coetzee back to central defence alongside Abdelmounaim Boutouil.

The first real chance of the match arrived in the 15th minute and was a result of a good attacking move that started in Sundowns’ half and ended with Sirino forcing a save from former Cape Town City goalkeeper Hugo Marques.

Atlético had their moments on the attack through Leal, Vieira, Joachim Balanga and Marcos Afonso but they could not break down Sundowns' defence of Coetzee, Khuliso Mudau and Boutouil.

In the closing stages, Mokwena introduced defender Mosa Lebusa for Maseko and Bongani Zungu for Marcelo Allende as he tried to solidify the game and cross the line with a clean sheet.

Because of their involvement in the AFL, Sundowns returns to DStv Premiership action against AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban only on November 8.