AFTER returning to South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns' defensive midfielder Teboho Mokoena has challenged his outfit's fans to emulate Yanga supporters when the two sides meet in the 2023/24 CAF Champions League last eight rematch at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane on Friday.

The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam was filled to the brim by Yanga’s fans in the first leg of this season’s CAF Champions League quarterfinal on Saturday night.

The two teams showed a highly tactical game but the supporters had nothing to celebrate as the match eventually ended goalless.

Mokoena played the full game, which was his 40th match this season for club and country, just a couple of days after starring in the 3-3 draw for South Africa 'Bafana Bafana' against Algeria.

Sundowns were not at their fluent best despite dominating possession as the home side showed defensive resilience while creating more chances with their swift counters, however, the game remained scoreless after 90 minutes.

“We didn’t start well in the first half but I think the reaction was good, we didn’t create the [number] of chances we usually do [though], it was a really tough game,” he said.

Mokoena revealed: “They were solid at the back, closed the spaces in the middle, and forced us out wide, which is something we don’t normally do, their game plan worked."

“I think we need to go back to the drawing board and improve our performance.”

While the conditions were extremely humid, as is the case in the evenings in East Africa, Mokoena says it was not an excuse but urged Sundowns' fans to create the same hostile atmosphere created by Yanga's fanatics, when the second leg takes place on Friday in Tshwane.

“It was hard hot last week, but what do you expect? It’s an away game, it’s expected that not everything will favour us, we wanted to get an away goal, which we didn't, we have to sort it here at home... we have to win in Tshwane.”

However, Mokoena believes the fans will have to play a crucial role in helping the Premier Soccer League's defending champions advance.

The midfielder said: “Masandawana, like you saw tonight, Yanga fans fully packed the stadium, may you please also come next Friday and support us, we need you at Loftus Stadium.”