Tricky challenge as Sundowns face Pitso

• Kekana says playing against Mosimane’s Al Ahly will be as much mental as tactical

Hlompho Kekana is expecting emotions to run high when Mamelodi Sundowns take on continental rivals Al Ahly during their Caf Champions League quarterfinal in Cairo on Saturday night.

This first-leg encounter will be the first time Sundowns come face to face with their former coach Pitso Mosimane, now with the Egyptian champions after achieving unparalleled success during his eight years at Chloorkop.

Kekana‚ who was one of Mosimane’s trusted lieutenants when Sundowns won five league titles‚ the Champions League and the Super Cup, among other trophies ‚ said playing against Mosimane will be tricky.

“It is going to be a very tricky affair and we know that it is going to be more mental than tactics on the field of play ‚” said Kekana.

“It’s going to be a very emotional match for both sides because coach Pitso is there and the fact that in one of the previous encounters we managed to beat them 5-0 at Lucas Moripe Stadium in 2019. We have played them since that 5-0 win but I don’t think they have forgotten it.”

He said the team were “very ambitious” and wanted to win this match to try to reach the semifinals. “It is not going to be easy but we are ready for the challenge against a very good team that is coached by our former coach.”

Kekana said he would not hold back if he scores against Al Ahly over the two legs, despite having worked with Mosimane for many years.

“I was never an Al Ahly player before and you know that coaches move all the time. Benni [McCarthy] is at AmaZulu and he was at Cape Town City before, but he celebrated after beating them recently. So we will have to celebrate if we beat them because it is a big match for the players and the fans and it will mean more than any other match.”

Asked to analyse the Red Devils squad who were held to a 1-1 draw by Zamalek in the Cairo derby on Monday ‚ Kekana said Sundowns know how Mosimane likes to prepare his teams.

“The only difference between the last time we played them and now is that coach Pitso is there and they are playing his style of football which guys who have worked with him know and understand.

“If you look at the personnel they have‚ they still have the same players they had when we played them over the last few matches. We will go there and stick to our processes and try to win the match.

“Playing away this weekend is going to be a mental game and we have to make sure that we match their hunger and aggression,” Kekana said.