Kekana: Mokwena Will Always Have Special Place To Us

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana says Rulani Mokwena will always hold a special place in the players’ hearts, but sentiment will be set aside when they face MC Alger in a crucial CAF Champions League clash on Saturday.

Mokwena, who led Sundowns to two league titles, will come up against his former club in a make-or-break Group C encounter at Loftus Stadium.

The equation is simple for Sundowns: they must win to reach the knockout stages. A draw will not be enough to secure qualification.

Sundowns are currently third in the group with six points after five matches, one point behind second-placed MC Alger and two behind leaders Al Hilal, against whom they suffered a defeat and a draw.

Although the match carries emotional significance for the Sundowns players due to Mokwena’s history with the club — including serving as assistant coach when they won the Champions League in 2016 — Kekana insists the focus will remain firmly on the task at hand.

“I think we are grown men and, obviously, we appreciate all that he has done for us and for the club,” said Kekana.

“He will always have a special place in our hearts. But we know what is at stake on Saturday. Throughout the 90 minutes, there will be none of that. It will be about Mamelodi Sundowns trying to get a positive result, and we can shake hands after the game.”

Kekana, who was signed from SuperSport United ahead of the 2021/22 season during Mokwena’s co-coaching tenure, expects a tight contest where attention to detail will be crucial.

“I think it’s about the little details. We need to pay attention to the small details,” he said.

“Throughout the group stages, that is what has let us down — the small details within the game.

“It hasn’t been major mistakes, but they have affected the results. On Saturday, it will be about focusing on those details and making sure we apply ourselves correctly.”