Downs boss bullish
MOSIMANE: IT’S GOING TO BE A FIGHT Esperance coach says Downs have no chance in Tunisia.
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is already looking ahead to the knockout rounds as his side gear up to take on Esperance in a crunch Caf Champions League clash in the Tunisian capital tomorrow night.
The African champions could seriously do with a positive result in this Group C encounter as they trail table-topping Esperance by three points, and Ethiopian giants St George by one point. The top two teams in the group will reach the quarterfinals, but Mosimane remains positive.
“I look on the other side, I was looking at Zesco United last year before we played them in the semifinal. This time around we are also looking on the other side. We know there is Al-Ahly SC and we know there is Zanaco FC, they are very strong. Wydad Athletic Club are also playing in that space, so we have got to box smart. We have got to try and go out of the group … we might not be No 1,” admitted Mosimane.
“We have to understand there are a lot of tactics in this thing. So we have got to be smart about it. Remember when we played Zamalek last year, we played them at 3pm. So this thing will still twist and turn,” he added in reference to the heat Sundowns were forced to play in in the second leg of the final.
He also made mention of his injured players, saying Esperance would not have won in Atteridgeville had he had a full squad at his disposal.
Mosimane is hopeful that the likes of Wayne Arendse, Khama Billiat, Denis Onyango and Ricardo Nascimento are all fit by the time it reaches the knockout stages. Mosimane’s side will be bolstered by the return of Anthony Laffor and skipper Hlompho Kakana from injury tomorrow.
“At that time we might have all the players, but we will never know how the draw will be. It is going to be a big fight,” he said.
The Tunisians beat the defending champions 2-1 in Atteridgeville, courtesy of a late penalty and assistant coach Mouine Chaabani is adamant the Brazilians will also leave the Stade Olympique de Rades empty-handed in the reverse fixture.
“We should get all the points in our stadium. Our objective is to win the Champions League,” said Chaabani.