CR Belouzidad coach sings Rulani Mokwena, Mamelodi Sundowns praises

Kouki was speaking to the media just before their final training session yesterday at Loftus Stadium, ahead of their CAF Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Sundowns this afternoon (15h00).

In the first leg last Saturday, The Brazilians walloped CRB 4-1 in front of their home crowd at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.

"When talking about coach Rulani, I guess previously he has the opportunity to have good players that have been in the Champions League. I can credit him that he has a good formula to associate players that played for Sundowns before and the new players. They are not playing just good football but they're so pragmatic as they play. They are also scoring a lot of goals," he said.

Kouki, who is a well-travelled coach and has substantial experience in the CAF Champions League, having previously led ES Setif and Al Hilal Omdurman, says another big difference with Sundowns is their solid squad.

"I would like to add something, Sundowns has invested a lot into bringing in good players. As a tactician, even though I can give a tactic, good players can convert those and Sundowns are doing that. They have invested a lot in the team by bringing very good players," he explained.

Belouizdad, who are currently log leaders in Algeria’s Ligue 1, know overturning the score line and advancing to the semifinals would be mission impossible in Tshwane, but Kouki insists a win is important, with a particular approach in mind.

"Tactically I will decide but as I said, I would try to press them in every area, we'll ask the attacking players to press, in the midfield and defense but you will see how we will play," he concluded.