Downs’ moment of truth in Tunis
I SEE US WINNING, I SEE US DOMINATING THEM Esperance in the driving seat in this Group C encounter.
Hlompho Kekana is confident Mamelodi Sundowns can turn the tables on Esperance and beat them in the Tunisian capital tonight as they bid to get their 2017 Caf Champions League campaign back on track.
The Brazilians stumbled in Atteridgeville against Esperance on June 2, losing 2-1 to slip three points behind the Blood and Gold in Group C, and a point behind Ethiopia’s St George. The top two in the group will go to the quarterfinals.
Sundowns can take heart tonight from the fact that their only Group C victory so far came on the road, an excellent 3-1 win at DR Congo’s AS Vita.
“I see us winning the match, I see us dominating the match if we play our game. They are playing at home and we have to take the game to them because we need more points than them at the moment,” said Kekana, who, along with striker Anthony Laffor, is available again after missing the June 2 match through injury.
“We are aware that we are in a position where we just need to win to be in a very good space in the group. We now understand the mature of this tournament and we understand the logistics, we understand that there is nothing that comes easy in life.”
The Bafana Bafana midfielder said the experience they have gained from last season’s triumphant Champions League campaign will play a big part in their bid to successfully defend their title.
“When we play in the Champions League we know how to prepare for it, we know how to take the match to the opponents, unlike before when we were just playing and not knowing what to do,” said the Sundowns captain.
Laffor, meanwhile, is revitalised and eager to take to the pitch tonight.
“I am happy to be back and fit. I am ready to play,” he told the club’s website.
He continued: “We are here to win, we are not here to draw. I watched our game against them in Atteridgeville, they are technically well structured, but we are confident we can break through.”
Also this evening, Platinum Stars will host other Tunisian giants in CS Sfaxien in a 2017 Caf Confederation Cup Group B encounter. Dikwena are bottom of the group with just one point from three matches.