Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has revealed that they are aware why the North African teams have won the majority of the CAF Champions League titles and are still working on counter-acting their "major strength".
Sundowns were knocked out of the CAF Champions League in the semi-finals, without losing a game, after the 2-2 draw in the second-leg against defending champions Wydad Casablanca saw them crash out on away goals' rule, following a 2-2 draw on aggregate.
One of the major strengths of the North African teams has been on set-pieces and after keeping a clean sheet in Casablanca in the first leg, the Brazilians conceded twice from behind at Loftus Versfeld from set-plays.
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Mokwena was asked if they prepared thoroughly enough for such scenarios and suggested that although on the day they conceded from set-plays, the appointment of a set-piece coach Michael Loftman, shows that the club is taking the matter seriously to deal with this strength from North African teams.
"Nobody can fault us for effort, commitment, for maybe even pre-empting what we may know as the strength of the North African teams," Mokwena said in a press conference.
"The appointment of a set-piece coach should go as evidence that we're not people who are the best scientists after and so when we made the employment, was not to say in the short term, because that's not the game of football.
"But because we have identified that one of the major strengths, is to why for 35 (years) all the (CAF) Champions League trophies have gone to the North, it's because of that," he said.
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However, the Soweto-born mentor also conceded that it's not the only reason why Wydad went through to the final but their experience was also "a big determining factor".
"It's not the only reason, part to what I think was a big determining factor was the experience and you could see it and that is not something you have to go and buy, that is not something you can get a coach in to deal with, that is something the players have to go through and learn from. And for sure next season we'll be stronger," he added.
Wydad set up a repeat of last season's CAF Champions League final against record winners and North African rivals Al Ahly.
