On learning from past mistakes

Brent Carelse was part of the Brazilians team that was knocked out by Al Ahly in the 2007/08 Champions League. The former midfielder missed the first leg at the Cairo International Stadium in April 2007, which ended 2-0 in favour of the Egyptians, and only featured in the return leg that ended 2-2 at Loftus Versfeld. He warns the current team not to make the same mistakes when they take on Wydad in Tshwane.

“When South African teams play in North Africa, they face a hostile crowd and we were also up against it when we played against Al Ahly in 2007. Their crowd was hostile towards us and behind their team throughout the match. Mohamed Aboutrika was doing his thing in midfield, he was killing us. We lost the match 2-0 in Egypt and when they came here, our crowd was very friendly towards them. We were too nice. This coming weekend at Loftus, Sundowns supporters need to get behind their team because the players will need them. The players have also learnt how to play in African competitions. Sundowns has also learnt about time wasting and game management because it’s all part of the game. They know that, and that is why they have been able to frustrate other local teams when they play at home because they know how to use that to their advantage. Sundowns have to go out there and win the game in the second leg. They have to make sure that they don’t concede. They have to kill off the game in the first half and settle down the nerves. We have to try and close the door at the back.”