The groups will contest the tie over two legs with the winner set to play in the ultimate against Wydad or Esperance.
All roads in Tshwane lead to Loftus Versfeld for Sunday’s much-anticipated African Football League semi-final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al-Ahly.
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Expect the Brazilians to come out of the blocks firing in what’s now dubbed the ‘African derby’ by followers of each groups on social media.
The two groups will contest the tie over two legs with the winner set to play in the ultimate against both Moroccan facet Wydad Casablanca or Esperance of Tunisia who will conflict in the different semi-final.
In an unique interview with Phakaaathi, Sundowns and Bafana Bafana defender Grant Kekana burdened the significance of killing the game as a contest in entrance of their very own followers forward of the journey to Egypt for subsequent week Wednesday’s second leg.
“We’re definitely going to try to do our best and get a positive result because we know going away is never easy especially in Egypt,” stated the versatile Kekana who can play at centre-back or as a full-back.
“We witnessed it last season in the champions league, from just arriving there you feel the hostility. At the stadium there are lasers and booing. Everything becomes difficult but I think we have players who are mature enough to understand what’s at stake.
“As much as those things (hostility) don’t bother us as individuals and as a team, we know there are certain influences on the day that we don’t have control of. So when we play Ahly here at home, we want to get a positive result so that we at least put one foot forward going into the second leg.”
The former SuperSport United man believes that the Tshwane large’s failure to attain final season’s champions league ultimate has solely made them stronger.
“We understand the hurt that comes with just falling short, especially in big competitions,” he concluded.
“I think that hurt has only made us stronger and wiser. We have matured and now we know how to grind out results. We all want one goal and we are together when our backs are against the wall.”
The Percy Tau-led Red Devils arrived in South Africa on Friday and Kekana stated pleasantries can be on maintain for 90 minutes against his worldwide colleague. The home group recorded a 5-2 victory against Ahly the final time the two groups met at the similar venue.
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“I haven’t spoken to Percy, I will probably see him on Sunday when we play. He knows he’s our arrival now,” Kekana stated about the former Sundowns striker.
“As much as we get along in the national team, when it comes to Sundowns versus Al-Ahly, there’s a big rivalry so it will be a good contest and one that we are looking forward to.”
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