‘It’s fire there’ in Rabat, says Yannick
JOHANNESBURG: If it wasn’t for a Mamelodi Sundowns’ legend, Yannick Zakri could have been part of the Wydad Casablanca forward line that the Brazilians will have to contain to reach the semi-finals of the Caf Champions League.
The Ivorian striker was wanted by a number of African clubs, including the 19-time Moroccan giants, after his exploits with Asec Mimosas in last year’s Champions League. But Zakri chose Sundowns and made Wydad pay for losing out, scoring the goal that gives the African champions a slender 1-0 lead going into the second leg in Rabat on Saturday.
“I was influenced to come here, enjoy my football and then go to Europe by seeing Siaka Tiene do that at Sundowns,” Zakri said. “Al Ahly, Zamalek and even Wydad wanted to sign me. But I didn’t want to play in those parts. I wanted to come here and play for Sundowns. I saw their videos and what the South African league is about and I was impressed. I liked how Sundowns play and saw that I could fit in here. I told my president (at Asec, Roger Ouegnin) that I wanted to come here to get experience and then go to Europe.”
Tiene also joined the Brazilians from Asec before going on to have an impressive career in France with stints at Paris Saint-Germain and Montpellier. A fellow Ivorian, Soumahoro Bangaly, helped Zakri settle in at Chloorkop – serving as his translator while he improved his English. Now Zakri could serve as a translator for his teammates in Morocco. His role will not stop at being the “translator”, having faced Wydad twice in the Champions League and even scoring against them away.
“It’s fire there. Fire! Arab teams are totally different when they play at home to the teams they are when they are away,” Zakri said. “I know that it will be very, very difficult. I have played against Wydad three times. I know every player there. I know how Wydad plays, how they attack and defend. I know everything. But every game you play isn’t the same. As much as I know them, they also know me. Maybe they are working on ways to stop me.”
With a long injury list, coach Pitso Mosimane is likely to call on Zakri to lead the attack at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Khama Billiat could make an appearance after an injury-plagued season, but it is Zakri who could be the Brazilians’ talisman. He scored against Wydad the last time he was in Rabat just like he did in the first leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
“The most important goal of my career will come in the final,” Zakri said. “I trust my team. I know we will reach the final and defend our trophy. That goal (in the first leg) was very important for us because I know that Sundowns play very well away.”