Mamelodi cruise passes Burundian side Bumamuru 6-0 on aggregate

Mamelodi Sundowns secured their place in this year’s CAF Champions League group stages with a convincing 2-0 victory over Burundian side, Bumamuru at Lucas Moripe stadium on Saturday.

The Brazilians had already taken a significant step toward the group stages of Africa’s premier club competition, entering the match with a comfortable 4-0 lead from the first leg.

Nevertheless, goals from Mothobi Mvala and Teboho Mokoena ensured a comfortable outing for the 2016 champions.

Coach Rulani Mokwena, who shared some exciting moments with the supporters after his side sealed a 6-0 aggregate victory, expressed his satisfaction with his team’s progression.

“Before you even speak about this group who have qualified for the group stages of the Champions League for nine seasons in a row, there must be big compliments for the previous groups that put the club there.”

Mokwena said there was a group that was led by [retired captain] Hlompho Kekana and there was a group that was led [before that] by Alje Schut and Ramahlwe Mphahlele.

“Those were fantastic groups and they need a lot of praise for putting the club there with the bare minimum of expectation,” he said.

“We faced some very challenging qualifying games, such as the match against Chicken Inn from Zimbabwe (in 2016).

“These games can be potential stumbling blocks and if you do not respect your opponents and the games, you could find yourself in trouble.”

He said that was why it was crucial to commend this current group for their mentality, professionalism and a consistent winning record.

“We are simply delighted to serve the club to the best of our abilities.”

The Sundowns head coach also insisted that his side would not abandon playing beautiful football while continuing their quest for continental success.

“The most important thing is to continue winning and that is the pressure we have at Mamelodi Sundowns.

“When we lost in the Champions League semi-final last season, people said that you can play badly and win, and we want you to win, and we don’t care how.

“I said, ‘no, we will do it a certain way,’ and I’m still in that space. We want to build a certain way of playing, but at the same time, we want to continue winning and that’s a collective effort.”

He said that effort involved training, playing and understanding of small details.

“It will come, but it takes a bit of time, especially when you have a lot of games, but we will improve,” the coach added.

Mokwena also showered praises on Aubrey Modiba, whose delightful cross was nodded home by Mvala.

“Modiba has had some very good performances this season and he deserves to play more games, and he has been so consistent this season.

“His versatility excites me the most, as well as his game intelligence.

“He can play in the back, second line, inverted position, as a left-winger and can even play as a number 10.”

Johannesburg-born Mokwena responded with humility to praise from his uncle and South African football legend Jomo Sono.

“Sono’s success is enough weight on my shoulders already, so part of what we try to do as individuals who belong to a group is get ourselves to a level where the family can be proud.

“Sono knows I don’t only see him as an uncle and father, but also as an inspiration,” said Mokwen

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