Sundowns end Mokwena’s campaign

LOVE was in the air between Miguel Cardoso and Masandawana - the duo combining perfectly on Valentine’s Day to reach the CAF Champions League knockout stage at the expense of former partner Rhulani Mokwena.

- MIHLALI BALEKA.

Mamelodi Sundowns achieved this feat by beating MC Alger 2-0 in their final continental group-stage match at Loftus Versfeld yesterday afternoon, finishing second in Group C after a topsy-turvy campaign.

Their victory wasn’t pretty, but it was professional. They sucked the life out of Mokwena and his team by refusing to engage in on-field theatrics. Moreover, they adopted a calculated game model built on structured buildup play - a system ironically forged by Mokwena during his reign at the club.

In four meetings now, there was still no love lost between Mokwena and Cardoso as the latter continued to crack the whip on his predecessor, beating him in three matches, while one ended in a draw.

A gloomy sky had covered the nation’s capital, offering a fitting theme for this day of lovers. But in this context, a dark day loomed for South Africa’s beloved Mokwena, whose continental campaign was handed a bouquet of funeral flowers during his homecoming.

Mokwena’s team lost courtesy of Brayan Leon’s sixthand 63rd-minute goals, ensuring they finished third in Group C with seven points —- two behind the Brazilians, who are runners-up behind Al Hilal.