We couldn’t thank them enough

M amelodi Su ndowns broke the Egyptians’ hearts when n they walloped Al Ahly 5-0 in the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarter-fina al at Lucas Moripe Stadium two weeks ago. The second leg match proved to be too much for the Red Devils to reverse t

Vuyani Joni: Gonzalez, congratulations on reaching the CAF Champions League semi-final in great fashion, thrashing African giants, Al-Ahly, 5-1 on aggregate.

Hlompho Kekana: Ha, ha, ha, ngiyabonga, bro wam (thank you my brother).

VJ: Things were really tough in the second leg, as expected.

HK: I would say it is always like that when playing in the Champions League, especially against North African teams. It is always more than just the game – there’s pride of both the club and country at stake. So we all know that there will be more than just the 90 minutes of the game to look forward to. We always go there with an open mind, knowing that a lot will be happening, but it shouldn’t affect our focus. It is all nature of the game when you get to that level of football. It was indeed a very hectic and emotional game for some of us. I mean, we won the Champions League in that stadium, so playing there brought a lot of good memories and I enjoyed the game despite everything that happened during the game.

VJ: The game wasn’t without mind games.

HK:

Definitely! To be honest, like I said, when you play continental football, you expect things like mind games and tricks to come into play. You learn to prepare yourself mentally, otherwise you won’t survive. There are certain things that happen behind the scenes that the general public will never get to know about, ha, ha, ha. It is funny how we go through so much just to play football, man, ha, ha, ha.

VJ: Come match day, you act as if nothing happened.

HK:

You continue with your life, play football, as if nothing happened really. That’s what makes us strong because we draw closer to each other, as we are in a foreign country. We only have each other and therefore have to stand together and make sure we are focused. Mind games will always be there, but you have to learn to stay focused. For instance, we planned everything knowing where we would be playing the game and then, a few days before the game, they changed the venue in order to disrupt our plans. It was just one of those things, but we had to do what we went there to do, which is to play the match, which we did.

VJ: Overall, what was your stay in Egypt like?

HK:

I can’t really complain because they were welcoming and made us comfortable. We were based in Alexandria, where we won the Champions League, and it is a very quiet and nice area. We were used to everything that happened and it is usually up until match day that the true tension comes and this time was no different. You could tell that Ahly are the biggest team in the continent not by chance or fluke. The way they handle themselves, the passion the people have for their team was all evident.

VJ: At least you had the full support of the other side of Egypt in Zamalek’s supporters?

HK:

Ha, ha, ha, eish, those ones were fully behind us and it was great to see. The rivalry between Ahly and Zamalek knows no boundaries and it is always funny to see. Being supported by the rivals of your opponents, in a foreign country, is something both funny and special. We were also overwhelmed by the support and it showed that those people take football to heart. VJ: What was coach Pitso Mosimane and his technical team’s message to you before the first leg and the second leg?

HK: The message was clear and c onsistent: we have to be composed, pplay our normal game and take all thet chances we create. Whenever pla aying these games, they prepare you nnot just for football but life in general as well. For instance, we went into t he first leg knowing that it was the on nly game we had control over. We had d to dig deep so that whatever happens s in the second leg, we wouldn’t have e to worry about. That taught us to ta ake control of what we can control, wh hich is exactly what we did. We knew tthat the second leg wouldn’t be a norm mal game, so to speak, because of the mmind games and intimidation tactics. So we were well-prepared by the techni ical team and they really did a great jjob. Our plan was not to allow them m to come into our half often and that we shouldn’t sit back and invite them. VJ: Let’s go back to the first l leg, where the damage was done with t that impressive and record-breaking 5-0 win.

HK: Well, I can say, I should be proud of the boys for a wonder rful job that they did on the day. To pplay against Al Ahly and give such a gr reat performance was really humbling aand made me proud as the team’s capta ain. The boys were free to express the emselves and had no fear, playing one e of the biggest teams around. If no oone knew us, they wouldn’t tell that AAhly were the powerhouse of African fo ootball because of the way we hand dled them. To come and play the way we did was excellent and a huge achie evement. We created so many chances aand scored five, against Ahly, of all team ms! That was really encouraging beca ause we had not scored so many goals so far this season until that game. It wa as a real confidence booster for the tea am, especially our attackers. If we co uld do it against the best team in Afri ica, then we can do it against anyone, aand I hope the guys will use that as a mmotivation to score more. The suppo orters came out in their numbers aand we really appreciate their effort on the day. I always tell people that su uch support is very important to the players.

VJ: Right.

HK: I want to, on behalf of my players and the whole team, thank all the supporters who were there. We really felt their support and we can’t thank them enough. Our attendance figures have been improving since the beginning of the season and their support has been helping us. What they did against Al Ahly was unbelievable and we really can’t turn a blind eye to it. I really hope they will continue to rally behind the team until the end of the season. We need them more than ever.

VJ: What went through your mind when you saw the capacity crowd just before the game?

HK: It reminded me of the first leg of the 2016 Champions League against Zamalek, when we beat them 3-0. In the back of my mind, I was a bit worried about the new guys in the team, hoping that they don’t choke or get scared because of the big crowd. That can be overwhelming if it is not managed well. I was happy to see that they were not affected negatively at all, judging by their great performance on the day. We were all about making history because we are one team that always strives for greatness. It was a beautiful day that created beautiful memories and rewrote history against Ahly. We couldn’t thank the supporters enough, but we hope the team’s performance made them proud. VJ: Surely they left happy because there was entertainment and goals galore.

HK: The club decided to make it an event, by organising a number of artists to perform before the game andd theth boysb didn’tdid’t disappoidiint on the field as well. So the suppo rters got their money’s worth and I’m sure they enjoyed themselves and willl cherish the memories created that daay.

VJ: How did you manage the new players like Lebohang Maboee, who are not used to this level, to enssure they don’t get stage fright? HK: You know, we have a bunch of great players in our team annd we always support one another. If f you talk about Lebo, you’re talking aabout one very, very brave boy! I addmire his work rate and attitude. At the level he’s growing, I see him goi ng places for sure. He always puuts in the work and never coomplains. He comes from a tteam that was playing far leess games per season ( Maaritzburg United) than wee do here, yet he’s perrforming week in and wweek out, without anyy signs of tiring. H e’s been really immpressive and hee’s got a reallyy bright futurre. VVJ: He’s beeen really a marvel to watch. Noww it is back too domestic football, and what a way to switch focus than a Tshwane Derbyy against SuperSport United tonight! HK: Eish, it is going to beb a very tricky and difficult match foor us because derbies are never easy y. We will forget about the Championss League, compose ourselves and focuus on the game because this is our brread and butter. We have to make sur e that we deliver because this is a veryy important match for us. VJ: Because of your Ch hampions League commitments, Orlando Pirates have taken ful l advantage of your absence. Th hey’re log leaders, although you h ave three games in hand, which puts you under pressure. HK: That’s true, butt we will focus on our games annd try to win all of them. That’s what we can control, nothing els e.

VJ: Gonzalez, is there anything you’d like to add to this interrview before we let you go?

HK: Yes, please, man. I w ould like to alert people, especially foootballers, to be careful of these scammmers. My phone and Instagram accouunt were hacked, but I managed to re cover my Instagram account and in th e process of doing so with my WhatsAApp now. We are very vulnerable to theese people as footballers and we can’t do anything to avoid it because peo ple know our movements.

VJ: Sadly, the same thing hhappened to Teko Modise as well but, liike yours, his Instagram account was reecovered. Thanks, once again, for your time and all the best for the semi-finalls against Wydad Casablanca and the reemainder of the Absa Premiership seas on.

HK: Thanks. You’re welccome, my brother. ❐