Kekana unfazed by playing CAF second leg in Cairo
HLOMPHO Kekana has no complaints about playing the CAF Champions League final second leg against Zamalek away from home.
After all, Mamelodi Sundowns are driven to win “against all odds”.
Sundowns, who booked their spot in the final thanks to a 3-2 aggregate victory over Zambian side Zesco United, want to make sure that South Africans have more to talk about than the Jerry Sikhosana goal which won Orlando Pirates the continental title in 1995.
It will not be an easy one against the five-time champions Zamalek, who are desperate to win their first Champions League title since 2002. Kekana, a workhorse in midfield, said he was more than ready to upset the White Knights.
“I am excited as Sundowns captain to be part of this history we are making. We are looking forward to the final. Obviously, this tournament is tricky, but we can’t ask for more,” said Kekana after the 2-0 second leg victory over Zesco at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
“If you want to win the tournament, the only thing to do is win your home matches,” he added.
Sundowns beat Zamalek twice in the group stages, but the final will be totally different to what they faced in the round-robin phase.
North African teams usually know how to get results away from home, especially in the first leg, by frustrating the opposition with an away goal or time-wasting tactics. Sundowns would have to make sure they do not give away a lot of set pieces in their own half because that’s one of Zamalek’s strengths.
“It’s going to be a challenging match in Cairo,” Kekana said.