Halfway for Sundowns

Coach Rhulani Mokwena has dismissed suggestions Mamelodi Sundowns are as good as through to the Caf Champions League semifinals after a 4-1 win over CR Belouizdad in Algeria on Saturday.

A brace by Namibian hitman Peter Shalulile, who scored his 100th top-flight goal, and goals from Neo Maema and Cassius Mailula gave the Brazilians an advantage going into the quarterfinal second leg at Loftus on Saturday.

Mokwena praised his players for a clinical all-round performance but said they should not take for granted a place in the semifinals.

“Stranger things have happened in football. We beat a very good side that we still have to face in Pretoria ... but it is only halfway,” he said.

Mokwena said Sundowns dominated CR Belouizdad because they did extensive work in preparation.

“We asked for a lot of concentration and a lot of sacrifice. The players worked hard on watching videos of the opposition and we knew a lot about them.

“I don’t have to have an opinion about the opposition because I have to give a lot of respect to their technical team. Also out of respect for the fact that it is only the halfway mark of the tie.

“What I would say is congratulations to this group, football club in its entirety and everybody involved, to the supporters at home and I am sure they enjoyed this match.”

Mokwena praised his players for a big performance.

“Credit to the players, big personality and big performance and a lot of respect because they are incredible human beings.

“It is the quarterfinal of the Champions League, it is tough and we should be under no illusions that the scoreline represents how physical and demanding this game was for us,” he said.