For Mamelodi Sundowns, a trip to Algeria has never been a simple away day. Now add the twist of facing their former coach Rhulani Mokwena in front of MC Alger’s passionate supporters, and suddenly this CAF Champions League fixture feels a lot bigger than just group-stage points.
South Africans have been buzzing about the reunion all week. Some Sundowns fans still openly miss Mokwena’s leadership. Others believe Miguel Cardoso deserves time to stamp his identity, insisting the past must stay in the past. But once the lights come on at the Ali La Pointe Stadium, all the noise fades. The continent’s toughest club competition rarely leaves room for sentiment.
And that’s exactly why club legend Hlompho Kekana has called for sober minds and steady hearts.
A Trip Loaded With History And Emotion
Sundowns enter this clash with confidence after a 3–1 win over Saint-Eloi Lupopo, but they know how unforgiving Champions League travel can be. Algeria, in particular, has humbled many PSL giants over the years with its swirling atmosphere, aggressive tempo and home-crowd intensity.
MC Alger, on the other hand, have their own pressures. A disappointing 2–1 loss to Al Hilal has left them wounded and determined to respond. And their coach, the ever-analytical Mokwena, understands Sundowns better than anyone in that stadium.
Seven years at Chloorkop is no small footprint.
Kekana, speaking on the Mamelodi Sundowns Pitchside Podcast, reminded supporters of exactly that.
Kekana: “Stay Sober-Minded. He Knows You Too Well.”
In classic captain fashion, Kekana’s message blended calmness, respect and a little hint of confidence.
“This is that game where you play against someone who knows you very well,” he explained. “Rhulani spent around seven years at Sundowns. He doesn’t need to watch video analysis to understand you.”
Kekana was clear that emotions need controlling.
“You cannot hide your facial expressions from someone who knows your habits. The players need a sober-minded approach. Just go out there, compete for 90 minutes and stick to the team principles.”
Then came the fan inside him, slipping out with a smile.“As a supporter now, I believe Sundowns will beat him. I don’t think his team is on our level. But the footballer in me knows you can’t be naive, especially away from home.”
It was a beautifully balanced warning. Confident, but not arrogant. Emotional, but grounded.
Mokwena’s Measured Response: “No Revenge, Just Football”
What makes this reunion even more fascinating is Mokwena’s reaction. Many would expect him to arrive armed with motivation, eager to prove a point to the club that released him. Instead, his tone was philosophical, almost spiritual.
Speaking on the African Five-a-Side Podcast, Mokwena dismissed any talk of grudge matches.
“You are not God to avenge pain,” he said. “Football is football. For us, this is an opportunity. A chance for my players to test themselves against a team that went to the Club World Cup and reached the Champions League final.”
He insisted that he is not the storyline.
“I’m the least important person at a football club. The game belongs to the players.”
It’s a statement many fans debated online, some admiring his humility, others questioning whether he truly believes it. But one thing is clear: Mokwena wants this to be about football, not history.
What’s Really At Stake
For Sundowns:
A win away from home would cement control of their group and silence doubts about their rhythm this season.
For MC Alger:
Victory at home would spark belief and show that Mokwena’s ideas are settling in.
For both teams:
It’s not just a football match. It’s identity, pride and a test of emotional maturity.
And if Kekana’s words ring true, the side that stays calm in the storm will walk away with the points.
A Clash to Look Forward Too
The build-up has been emotional, the history deep and the tensions high. But once the whistle blows in Algeria, everything resets. The master knows his former students. The students know their former mentor. And the continent watches as two teams chase Champions League glory.
For Sundowns, the message is simple: Be calm, be clinical, be collective.
Because as Hlompho Kekana puts it, “You cannot afford to be naive in the Champions League.”
Source: Goal ZA
Image Source: Mamelodi Sundowns on X
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