Why Mamelodi Sundowns stresses Al Ahly out - Rulani Mokwena

The two sides meet again in the second leg of their African Football League semi-final tie at Cairo International Stadium, with Downs holding a 1-0 aggregate advantage from their clash at Loftus Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 

READ: Rulani Mokwena rues missed chances against Al Ahly

With Sundowns managing to score in their two previous visits to Egypt, there’s almost an assurance from Mokwena this trend will continue. 

"We've got a goal in Cairo, we know that, and they [Ahly] know that also. I think that also stresses them [out] a lot, the message they've got is they know Sundowns can score in Cairo," declared Mokwena.

"You could see the frustration from the players a little bit, when they walked off the pitch, because I would presume that, having had something very similar in the previous rounds, and maybe even in the MTN8 – where we were home first and then away.

"Even last season in the Champions League, when we brought a 0-0 to Morocco, the stress was not to concede, so that's going to be every stressful for them."

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A long-range strike from winger Thapelo Maseko handed Sundowns victory in the first leg, but the glaring missed chances were a concern from Mokwena. 

The Tshwane giants were still missing Lucas Ribeiro as well as Peter Shalulile and, with or without the duo, the Downs mentor argues it’s Ahly who should be worried.

"The first thing they've got to think about is, 'Sundowns mustn't score an away goal.' Let's see what happens, it's only half-time and it's going to be an interesting game," he added.

"But, as I said, I think they also know that Sundowns have got a goal in Cairo, if not two."