Rulani Banking on ‘Miracles’ Ahead of Al Ahly Showdown

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has expressed his hope that injured forwards Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro will be able to feature in the African Football League semi-finals first leg against Al Ahly on Sunday. The Brazilians have been without the two key players since they returned from the international break, but have managed to advance to the semi-finals in spite of their absences.

The Tshwane giants were without seven key players who were away with Bafana Bafana against the Rockets and they bounced back with a 2-0 win over Petro de Luanda in the quarter-final first-leg in the African Football League away and grinded out a goalless draw in the second leg on Tuesday, as they booked their spot in the semi-finals with a 2-0 aggregate win.

Speaking at a press conference, Mokwena expressed his hope that the two forwards will be able to make a return soon. “I hope very soon, I’m on my knees, I bow my head every night and I pray and ask God to perform the miracles that he has performed in the Bible you know,” he said. “You’ve seen Jesus Christ turn water into wine, you’ve seen him give power to Moses to cross the red sea, in the main miracles that he has performed, my prayer to him is to perform one more. Just like he did when he raised the dead just through a mere touch, Jesus Christ and my prayer is just that he resuscitate and he brings back Lucas, Peter and Thapelo (Morena), as soon as we possibly can, because for sure they make a big difference.”

The latest injury updates from Sundowns before their AFL quarter-final second leg clash against Petro, was that Shalulile is on stage 2 in rehabilitation of his ankle injury, Ribeiro on stage 3 of his knee injury rehab and Morena on stage 2 rehab of his abdominal injury. Other Brazilians players who are also out injured include, Sipho Mbule, Bathusi Aubaas and Siyanda Nyanga.