The upcoming international break will be the perfect time for Rulani Mokwena to analyse Mamelodi Sundowns's CAF Champions League quarterfinal opponents Young Africans, with the coach planning to thoroughly prepare for the Tanzanian giants.
After finishing top of the standings in group A, ahead of TP Mazembe, Sundowns were drawn against Young Africans, affectionately known as Yanga. It will be a first meeting between the sides in the Champions League.
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Yanga finished second in group D, going through on goal difference after third-placed CR Belouizdad also finished on eight points. On their way to qualifying for the knockout phase, the Tanzanians beat Ghanaian outfit Medeama and Belouizdad. They managed to secure draws against Al Ahly and Medeama.
They were the top scoring side in the group with nine goals, with eight of them coming on home soil. They are lethal at home, but goal-shy on the road, which is something Mokwena will come across once he starts doing his analysis on them.
"My thoughts on the Champions League draw? I am not so sure yet. Of course I watched the draw, but I don't have immediate thoughts because I've got to watch the opponent closely. I've watched all the opponents. I've watched all the games in the Champions League, but I've watched as a coach, not as an analyst.
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"Now I have to switch and fortunately I've got a nice FIFA break where my focus will just be on Yanga. I will go back as far as I possibly can and try to see the profile.
"They've got a good coach in Miguel Gamondi. He was at Sundowns. They are very organised, very good structure. So, let's see, before I jump into any sort of conclusions because I've got to now focus on the next game against Maritzburg United (in the Nedbank Cup), which is a tough one. When everyone expects you to win, those ones are the toughest.
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