THE BACKPAGE phakaaathi.co.za Wydad ‘no worries’

MOSIMANE: WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, WHOEVER WE PLAY WILL BE FINE

Sundowns to meet Moroccan giants in the quarterfinals.

Despite being upset that his team could not finish top of Group C, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is not worried about facing Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca in the quarterfinals of the Caf Champions League.

Mosimane’s team finished behind Esperance of Tunisia in their group, and will play the first leg at home in September.

“I have seen Wydad playing away in Zambia. I have seen them playing ASEC Mimosas and away to Al-Ahly. I have seen Wydad a lot and I know how their mentality is,” said Mosimane.

“They don’t want to play when they are away, they want to keep it goalless and they know they will score at home. We just have to be organised and play in front of their faces because they only play through combinations. They are not dribblers.”

Finishing second in their group may have been a blessing in disguise for Masandawana as it meant they avoided going up against record-holders Al-Ahly of Egypt who have lifted the trophy eight times.

But, the former Bafana Bafana coach says the Red Devils are the ones who are lucky to have avoided Sundowns as they are the defending champions.

“We didn’t avoid Al-Ahly. We are the champions, whoever we play will be fine. But Al-Ahly is the same as Wydad, if you watch the games of all the North African teams you will see, they all have the same mentality.”

SuperSport United, meanwhile, also made it to the last eight of the Confederation Cup where they will face last year’s Champions League semifinalists Zesco United of Zambia. This came as a relief to Matsatsantsa’s new coach Eric Tinkler.

“The permutations have worked in our favour,” said Tinkler. “At least it is not a long trip, it is a nice trip, close to home,” he said. Having reached the 2015 final with Orlando Pirates, the 46-year-old is looking to steer Matsatsantsa all the way to continental glory.

“We would love to get to the final and win it, and in order to achieve that, the next obstacle will be Zesco.”

Picture: Gallo Images Mamelodi Sundowns captain Thabo Nthethe celebrates his goal during their Caf Champions League match against AS Vita Club at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday. The match ended 1-1.