Sundowns to learn from Pirates flops
IF Mamelodi Sundowns are to take any lessons from Orlando Pirates’ 2013 CAF Champions League campaign, it would be not to underestimate finalists Zamalek just because they beat them in the group stages.
Pirates were unbeaten against Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the group stages three years ago, but were comfortably beaten by the eight-time champions in the final.
Sundowns are in a similar situation, having beaten Zamalek twice in the round robin phase and they will now face the Egyptian team again in the final next month.
Sundowns booked their spot in the final thanks to a 3-2 aggregate victory over Zesco United, while Zamalek edged Moroccans Wydad Casablanca in the other semifinal on Saturday. Sundowns will host the first leg on October 15 and the second leg will be played in Cairo a week later.
“Pirates is the flagship of South African football in Africa. We need to learn from them and I just copied the book from them. I speak to Roger [de Sa, who took Pirates to the final] and he says we should just grind,” said Mosimane.
“Zamalek are more complex than Zesco. That’s the biggest mistake we can make [underestimating Zamalek]. But they are also not happy to play us, let’s be honest. They are not comfortable dealing with the way we play.”
Mosimane said the experience he gained at international level with Bafana Bafana prepared him for continental club football.
“Look at the experience I got from being in the Cup of Nations, from 2006. I have been fortunate that I have done Confederation Cup and the World Cup. So I have learnt a lot. But it’s not about me, it’s about the team. We must try lift the trophy.”
Against Zesco in the second leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday, Sundowns did well to get an early goal through Anthony Laffor, which opened up the game and put the visitors under pressure.
Percy Tau scored after the hour mark to seal a 2-0 victory.
“I knew that when you get the one, the second one will come and they would be desperate. The best thing we did was to deal with the long balls they played. But they are a very good team and they have a very good coach,” Mosimane said.
ANTHONY Laffor resisted the temptation to hit back at coach Pitso Mosimane after scoring in Mamelodi Sundowns’ 2-0 victory over Zesco United in the CAF Champions League semifinal second leg on Saturday.
Laffor’s goal came just three days after Mosimane said the player is difficult to work with and does not always perform when given a chance to start.
The Liberian international did his talking on the pitch at Lucas Moripe Stadium, with a well-taken goal after just five minutes to help Sundowns progress to the final of the continental club competition with a 3-2 aggregate victory.
“It was a surprise to me [to start the game], but the most important thing is that I kept my feet on the ground. I read an article where the coach said I cannot play 90 minutes. But I just want to say thanks to him for allowing me to play 90 minutes,” said Laffor.
“Since I have been to South Africa, he is the first coach who says I am difficult. I worked with Jomo [Sono] and Gavin [Hunt] and they did not say I am difficult. But some of these things you do not need to talk about. You just need to listen to what the coaches want you to do. I am here to work and I am not here to get into conflict with anybody. It’s not about me, it’s about the team.”
Laffor and Mosimane have had a love-hate relationship for three years. During the off-season, while Sundowns were competing in the Champions League group stages, Laffor was fined for not returning to training on time after international duty.
Laffor was apparently not happy that Sundowns had given an extra two days off to striker Leonardo Castro, who was spending time with his three-month-old daughter in Colombia.
The 31-year-old enjoyed a good seven days last week, scoring in both the MTN8 and Champions League league semifinals. He also created the away goal in his club’s 2-1 defeat to Zesco in the first leg in Ndola.