The Brazilians not only ended the game with nine players after Neo Maema and Marcelo Allende were sent off in either half but also had forward Peter Shalulile’s goal correctly disallowed by VAR in the first half against the defending champions.
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rhulani Mokwena has called for calm and focus following his side’s goalless draw against Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Champions League semifinal first-leg tie on Saturday evening at the Stade Mohammed V in Morocco.
The Brazilians not only ended the game with nine players after Neo Maema and Marcelo Allende were sent off in either half but also had forward Peter Shalulile’s goal correctly disallowed by VAR in the first half against the defending champions.
Mokwena stated that despite the sendoffs, his side still put up a good display, insisting the tie was only at halftime.
“I thought we were excellent, actually; that’s why I give so much praise to the players,” Mokwena stated in the post-match press conference.
“They know it’s only halftime, so we keep our feet on the ground,” he added.
Masandawana will now count on home support as they rally fans for the second leg, something Mokwena says will be vital to winning the tie and advancing to the finals.
“We’re still focused on the second leg in Pretoria; we know that we shall have the ammunition behind us,” he noted.
“We shall have a full stadium that knows how to play champions league matches and push this team.”
“So a lot of credit to the players and the technical team who put in a lot of hard work in preparing for what is a difficult week,” Mokwena added.
Former Cranes captain Denis Onyango did not feature but made the 18 man squad.
The winner between Mamelodi and Wydad will play the winner between Al Ahly and Esperance, the Egyptian outfit won the first leg in Tunisia 3-0.
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