Mosimane readies for ‘hard’ field

Sundowns push for maximum points in Addis Ababa

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has prepared his players for a “hard and bouncy” surface at Addis Ababa Stadium, where they face Ethiopian side St George in a CAF Champions League Group C match tomorrow (3pm SA time).

Sundowns, who left for Addis Ababa on Wednesday, will train on the match venue today to prepare for a difficult 90 minutes that awaits them in the Ethiopian capital.

Second-placed Sundowns are confident of a positive result away from home, considering that’s where they’ve collected the majority of their points in this year’s campaign. Four of their five points in the group have been collected on the road.

“The pitch is hard and bouncy, but this is the Champions League my friend. The minute you start complaining about long hours in transit, the hotel or the pitch, then you are going to lose the match,” he said.

“We have got more points away from home this year, which is the opposite of last year. But what’s important is the destination and the end product. If we get maximum points, then we are 95% there [in the quarterfinals]. A point will still keep us in second place, but we can’t rely on that. We have to do the job.”

When Sundowns were held to a goalless draw by St George at Lucas Moripe Stadium last month, the visitors’ players were quick on the counterattack but did little to trouble the home side’s goal area. Sundowns will need to keep up with the speedy players who are likely to attack with a lot more freedom in front of their fans.

“It’s a difficult game there because of the altitude. We all know the athletes from Ethiopia and what they are capable of doing, in terms of endurance and capacity,” said Mosimane.

Sundowns will be boosted by the availability of skipper Hlompho Kekana, who missed the first leg, and other players like Motjeka Madisha and Anthony Laffor, who returned to fitness in the match against Esperance. But Khama Billiat and Wayne Arendse are still unavailable.