Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Rulani Mokwena Dismisses Al Ahly Claims

• Mamelodi Sundowns was accused of underperforming in a CAF Champions League match against Al Hilal
• A loss on Saturday would have seen their North African rivals Al Ahly being eliminated in the group stages
• An indignant Brazilians coach Rulani Mokwena swept aside these accusations with outrage and contempt

Deliberately losing to undermine an opponent elsewhere is beneath Mamelodi Sundowns.

This was what one could glean from coach, Rulani Mokwena's rebuttal of claims that his team tried to underperform against Al Hilal in a key CAF Champions League match last Saturday.

Had the Brazilians lost that encounter in Sudan, Al Ahly would have been eliminated from the group stages, which led to allegations of skulduggery.

In response, Mokwena said according to KingFut:

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“I am not paid to judge any team and before I judge my team, I judge myself. I will ask myself if I did everything possible to win the game."

The Sundowns coach said the blame for not winning the game ultimately fell on him.

"I don’t respond to the media. I say the work is on the pitch and things are on the pitch; we tried to win the game and it’s evident on the pitch."

Pro-Al Ahly journalist, Khaled Bauomy had sensationally tweeted as was translated as follows:

“Sundowns did everything to help Al Hilal qualify and eliminate Africa’s bogeyman Al Ahly. However, God’s will and the prayers of Al Ahly fans stood against the desire of Sundowns. Soon, the response to heaven’s justice will be seen in the stadium that all Africa fears, the Cairo International Stadium."

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The Sundowns boss has already been at loggerheads with sections of Egyptian media this season, who sensationally accused him of time-wasting tactics.

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This was in the wake of the Brazilians' dramatic 2-2 draw with fierce rivals, Al Ahly during a CAF Champions League group encounter in Cairo in February.

Sports Brief reported that an offended Mokwena responded to the accusations and weeks later, Sundowns proceeded to thump the Red Devils 5-2 at home.