Teboho Mokoena: Mamelodi Sundowns Boss Gives Update on Midfielder After He Missed Esperance Clash

• Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena, provided an update on Teboho Mokoena
• The Bafana Bafana midfielder missed the CAF Champions League clash vs Esperance
• The Brazilians face the Tunisian powerhouse at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on April 26

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Rulani Mokwena, has provided an update on Teboho Mokoena after his absence from the CAF Champions League first-leg semi-final against Esperance Tunis.

The midfielder has made over 40 appearances this season, including Bafana Bafana's games in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The former SuperSport United man sustained an injury against Moroka Swallows after scoring a stunning goal to make it 1-0.

Sundowns suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in Rades, Tunisia. Mokwena explained that the midfield maestro was on the brink of returning, but the technical team decided not to risk him due to the extensive schedule ahead.

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“Teboho Mokoena was almost ready, but we didn’t want to take that risk because of our schedule going forward, but we’ll see how it goes," Mokwena said, as quoted by iDiski Times.

The Masandawana boss also contested Tunisian journalists' views on the home team's tactics during the first leg. Miguel Cardoso's side attacked from start to finish, leaving Sundowns to play on the counter. They came close to finding the back of the net in the 18th minute when goalkeeper Amanallah Memmiche parried Ribeiro Costa's shot.

"In football, there are two critical factors during the 90 minutes. First, how many chances can you create? Who created the most chances between us and Esperance? Mamelodi, yes. Thank you. Then, who defended better, the one who gave more chances or the one who gave fewer chances? Did Mamelodi concede more chances to Esperance, or did Esperance..." he argued, as reported by Pulse Sports.

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Esperance coach fires warning to Mokwena’s side

Sports Brief reported that Esperance boss, Miguel Cardoso, said he had worked out plans to contain Sundowns' threats.

The four-time African champions aim to reach their ninth final, a feat they achieved in 2019 when they successfully defended their title.

Statistics have shown that both teams have kept nine clean sheets in 10 CAFCL games this season.