Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena says his team has a chance to make it to the final of the inaugural African Football League (AFL) when they travel to Egyptian giants Al Ahly on Wednesday.
Sundowns secured a priceless 1-0 away goal victory over Al Ahly in Sunday's semi-final first-leg clash, courtesy of Thapelo Maseko's second-half thunderbolt.
The South African side faces a daunting return fixture in Cairo.
"Of course, we still have a chance in Cairo. I'm confident we'll score with our fans there," Mokwena said.
Even though Sundowns hold a slight advantage, Mokwena admits they face a Herculean task to avoid more continental heartbreak and reach the inaugural AFL final.
"I would rather have taken one [goal] - of course - because 0-0 and 1-0 is a completely different perspective," the coach Mokwena said.
"So taking one of the many chances we created is positive. The bigger positive is we created chances without our strikers."
Sundowns missed forwards Peter Shalulile and Abubeker Nasir up front, meaning midfielders had to fill in more advanced roles.
"Our team still do what they do and create chances through selflessness and putting the team first," Mokwena added.
However, the Downs boss is all too aware the tie hangs in the balance ahead of a daunting trip to Cairo's fortress Al Salam Stadium.
"We've got to knuckle down now and focus on what will be a very difficult second leg," he admitted.
Ahly coach Marcel Koller was left ruing his side's inability to keep possession in Pretoria as Sundowns dominated.
"We had to be much calmer when we conceded and we spoke about keeping the ball, but we kept giving it away," the Swiss manager said.
With a place in the November 2 final at stake, Wednesday's showdown promises high-stakes drama between two of Africa's most decorated clubs.
