Pitso banking on speed to overcome Al Ahly

SPEED. That’s what coach Pitso Mosimane will be banking on to get the better of Al Ahly tomorrow at Cairo International Stadium in Mamelodi Sundowns’ first leg of the Caf Champions League quarter-finals.

Sundowns have found the winning formula for upsetting north African sides having gotten the better of teams like Al Ahly, Zamalek, Wydad Casablanca and USM Alger. There are a number of reasons for this. For starters, Sundowns take the fight to these teams – especially in their own backyards.

The Brazilians refuse to be bullied by these teams that are used to opponents being easily intimidated when they step into their stadiums that have a hypnotising atmosphere. Another reason why Sundowns have done well against north African teams is that they go toe to toe with them.

Sundowns don’t park the bus, instead they come at their opponents with all they have. Their skill and pace tend to be a handful. Mosimane is confident that his team will get a favourable result in Cairo and then win the tie at Lucas Moripe Stadium next Saturday.

“We have a referee from DRC (JeanJacques Ndala Ngambo), and (Bakary) Gassama is going to handle the second leg, I am happy. You know Gassama. If he thinks it’s a penalty, he puts it on the spot,” Mosimane said.

“If he thinks it’s a foul, he gives it. He is strong. We have nice things coming for us here, so we’ve got to manage the first leg. Don’t be excited, just move properly. It’s going to be a day of the wingers. My wingers must know that they are going to work to avoid the crosses because their fullbacks overlap. I need to make the selection proper because it’s not about the name, it’s not about the good player that always helps us.”