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.
