Barca friendly just up Sundowns alley

THE expected high-profile friendly between Absa Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns and La Liga kings FC Barcelona next Wednesday at FNB Stadium will benefit the Brazilians in their quest for continental supremacy.

This is the sentiment of retired Sundowns attacking-midfielder Surprise Moriri, who was on target when Barca beat the Brazilians 2-1 the first time these two sides met at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in 2007.

“This match came at the right time for Sundowns as they are busy with their Caf Champions League campaign. It is not every African team that can get a chance to play Barcelona, so this match will benefit Sundowns especially because they want to win their second Champions League this year,’’ Moriri said yesterday.

“This is a massive platform for the likes of Percy Tau to test their capabilities against the best. You need to play games of this magnitude to the counted among the best. I think coach Pitso [Mosimane] will also use this match to prepare for the Club World Cup, just in case they win Champions League.’’

Moriri is still nostalgic about the goal he scored against the Spanish powerhouse, 11 years ago. He urges Mosimane troops to not be intimidated by facing international stars such as five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi.

However, for this much-hyped fixture to be played on the scheduled date, the eight-time Premiership champions must get permission from the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to postpone their next Champions League clash away to Horoya of Guinea which was planned for next Tuesday. By yesterday, Caf had not confirmed postponement of Sundowns-Horoya game. Barcelona are also yet to make announcement regarding this much-publicised showdown which was declared by Downs boss Patrice Motsepe on Friday.