Sundowns have advantage over Chiefs, Mokwena admits

Mamelodi Sundowns come into the second leg of MTN8 semi-final clash against Kaizer Chiefs as slight favourites to reach the final.

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The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw at FNB Stadium before the FIFA international break.

The permutations are simple, a goalless draw would be enough for The Brazilians to advance by virtue of away goal’s rule.

Amakhosi have to score if they are to have a shot at glory against the winner between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC who play on Sunday.

Chiefs under-fire coach Molefi Ntseki will have to ditch his defensive approach to upset the odds at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday as Sundowns hold all the aces.

“Of course it’s a small advantage but it’s an advantage we worked very hard for,” Masandawana coach Rulani Mokwena said about the away goal’s rule.

“It means nothing if you don’t pitch for the second half because we see the next 90 minutes as the second half. We want to try and win every match at Mamelodi Sundowns regardless of the advantage we might have.

“Had the score remained 1-0 and we had not found the equaliser I would say the same thing that the attitude and mentality is to win.

“Had the score been different and we went into this game with a lead, I would still say the same thing. We will try to win the game on Saturday even though it will be very difficult because contrary to what the results suggest, we are playing against a very good side and a very improved kaizer Chiefs team.”

Ntseki who came under attack from a section of Chiefs fans following the 1-0 loss to TS Galaxy put up a brave face when he addressed the media ahead of the must-win knockout game.

“For us it’s a cup final, when you talk of the semi-final, you can’t be in the final if you don’t win this one,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to doing our best in this game and to be in the final. I think it will be a humdinger type of a game. We are mentally aware of what is ahead of us what is expected of us.

“As Kaizer Chiefs, we’re going into this game very courageous knowing that the only result that will help our objective is to do well and to give a good performance to win this game.

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“We can always look back at the last two matches, how the team played and the chances we created and the confidence we’re building in the team as a whole. That will be our approach to the Sundowns game. We’re fully aware that they are a quality side. We’re also a quality side and it will be a highly tactical game. We have hope and belief that this is the time for us to do well.”

The Soweto giants will take confidence from the fact that they are the only team to have held the DStv Premiership champions to a draw this season. Mokwena will be without Mothobi Mvala due to suspension as well as Khuliso Mudau who scored the equaliser in the first leg.