‘Bafana Granted Tau an Excuse, Why not the Same for Downs?’

Mamelodi Sundowns face a new challenge when they come up against Al Ahly in the semi-final first-leg of the African Football League on Sunday. With the Brazilians’ congested schedule, their fatigue issues could be a factor in the advanced stages of the AFL.

Sundowns’ preparation for the AFL has been hampered by their congested schedule, including their Carling Knockout last 16 clash against TS Galaxy just a day after the FIFA break, as well as their players participating in two friendlies in a short period of time. In comparison, the Red Devils have not had any domestic games after the FIFA break and have been focusing solely on the African Football League.

Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has suggested that they did not get ideal support from the South African bodies running football when compared to Al Ahly, who had the benefit of Percy Tau withdrawing from the national team. He said on Metro FM Sports: “Our request to TS (Galaxy) was to play that game on Thursday (with the AFL semi-final first-leg on Sunday), which is tomorrow (26 October) and that request was flatly denied, so we were put in a place between a rock and a hard place. You look at a team like Al Ahly for example, they only played on Friday (after the FIFA break). They allowed Percy at Bafana to be excused from the friendlies with the camp for ‘personal reasons’. Why couldn’t we come to such an agreement, if we’re really saying we’re trying to accommodate, not just out of respect for the PSL, its competitions but also accommodating Mamelodi Sundowns in representing South Africa in a very important competition?”

Mamelodi Sundowns will face Al Ahly in the semi-final first-leg of the African Football League on Sunday. The Brazilians’ congested schedule could be a factor in the advanced stages of the AFL, as they haven’t had the same preparation as Al Ahly, who have been focusing solely on the African Football League.