'Lord Mukoko' on his way to haunt Mamelodi Sundowns

A host of Mamelodi Sundowns’ faithful gleefully hoisted boldly written placards reading, “Lord Mukoko. Mr Fear Fokol. Country Fixer”, during their Betway Premiership clash against Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld just under two weeks ago.

Masandawana did that to rub salt into the wounds of their counterparts, The Ghost, and their team, Pirates, after the gigantic figure – Dieumerci Mukoko Amale – stole the show when his side, St. Eloi Lupopo, eliminated Pirates in the CAF Champions League preliminary qualifiers final round.

Mukoko had cut an animated figure during that clash – thumping his chest to declare that they ruled Orlando, tripping players from behind when referees were blindsided, and getting away scot-free when he roughed up opponents as his teammates took the punishment instead.

In the end, his theatrics worked – though only by a whisker – as Pirates turned the tide after extra time, coming back from three goals down to draw 3-3, only to lose the match on penalties.

But as fate would have it, Mukoko and his Lupopo teammates will return to South Africa for their opening group-stage match. This comes despite Pirates having lodged complaints with CAF regarding certain matters related to the team’s conduct both on and off the pitch, including alleged rule violations.

And guess what?

When the Lubumbashi-based side returns to our shores, they’ll be out to torment none other than Pirates’ mockers, the Brazilians. The two teams were drawn together – and Al-Hilal and MC Algeri – during the continental group stage draw, barely three days after Sundowns’ faithful had “worshipped” Lord Mukoko.

So, ironically, it might not be long before Mukoko inflicts his wrath on Sundowns’ faithful and their players, as the two teams will meet in the opening group-stage match at Loftus Versfeld next Friday (9pm kick-off).

Sundowns are not walking into the clash blindfolded, though. They clearly studied Lupopo’s dark side when they faced Pirates in the return leg.

“We had an opportunity to watch them against Pirates. They’re a team that … they are dirty, man. The tackles are flying, but they put in the hard work,” said Sundowns captain Themba Zwane after the draw.

But be that as it may, that could be Lupopo’s survival strategy. As such, former Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena - who will face them in the same Group c with his new side, Alger - warned that undermining Lupopo would be a mistake.

“They are well-coached, have a lot of physicality, and are very aggressive runners with speed, especially in the offensive line,” Mokwena told the South African Football Journalists Association via a Zoom chat this week.

“So, it’s going to be very interesting. It’s going to be a very tight group. But we are excited about the opportunity to compete and to try to do better than last season. That’s the main message.”

Sundowns would do well to heed Mokwena’s words. They must not be drawn into Lupopo’s mind games and dirty tactics. Instead, they should stay focused on their own plan and show their intent the best way they know how: playing football.

Indications suggest that the future of Mokwena's successor, Miguel Cardoso, may depend solely on winning the continental crown and ending Sundowns’ nine-year drought.

However, with Sundowns having gone into the Fifa break already thin on personnel, with players such as Zwane (still on the road to recovery), Malibongwe Khoza, Mothobi Mvala, Kutlwano Letlhaku, and Thapelo Morena all in the medical room, Cardoso can’t afford to see his players fall into the trap of retaliating to provocations that could lead to cautions or suspensions.

So, those Sundowns fans who hoisted placards mocking Pirates may soon see the “lord” they once worshipped return – this time as the devil that haunts them.