Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has provided his initial reaction to a tricky CAF Champions League draw alongside familiar opponents.
Sundowns have been pitted once again against Al Ahly and Al Hilal alongside Coton Sport in Group B of Monday's Champions League draw.
PICTURES | Mokwena like you have never seen him before
The Brazilians are set to host Al Hilal of Sudan in their group stage opener at home during the weekend of 10-11 February 2023.
Before an away clash against Coton Sport in Cameroon on the weekend of 17-18 February.
Mokwena and his troops will then face a daunting trip to Egypt on February 24-25.
"I think the first is to recognise that there are a lot of very difficult teams that have made it into the group stages of the Champions League, and you can expect that.
"The Champions League over the years has always become a difficult competition.
"Regardless of who is picked or who we were pitted against in the group, it was always going to be very difficult.
"That is the acceptance that we've made, and we have come to understand.
"There are huge resemblances with regards to familiarity from 2021 in the group that we had.
"So again, we travel to Al Ahly in Egypt, and we had similar foes last season, we had a very interesting trip to Sudan, which we again anticipate for this season, and a very difficult team in Al Hilal with some very good players.
"Some we are familiar with, like Gerald Phiri. Of course, even though they have changed coaches they still have a lot of Portuguese influence within the team.
"They have a very experienced coach, in someone who is used to the terrain, and the pressure and stresses that come with the Champions League.
"Then there is an interesting trip to Coton Sport and one we are looking forward to travelling to Cameroon.
"The challenge for us is to get out of the group, and that is the number one goal, to get as close to the points tally we need to qualify and make it to the knockout stages."
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