Job not done yet for Brazilians
Sundowns should beat Wydad to avoid tough rivals in quarterfinals
It’s not yet a done deal for Mamelodi Sundowns despite reaching the CAF Champions League quarterfinals at the weekend by sharing the top spot in Group A.
The Brazilians beat Lobi Stars of Nigeria 3-0 at Lucas Moripe stadium. Thapelo Morena, Themba Zwane and Lebohang Maboe all scored in the first half in what was a fine performance from the Tshwane side. Zwane is now the tournament’s top goalscorer with four goals.
But for Sundowns, there’s still the small matter of finishing top of the group and they face Moroccan side Wydad away on Saturday. Wydad will come all out for a win at home considering they are now level on seven points with Asec Mimosas, who beat them 2-0 in Ivory Coast in the other match. Finishing top of the group has its benefits and is not just about the bragging rights. In the quarterfinals, the group winners play the runners-up of another group (teams from the same group cannot play each other). The group winners host the second leg and have the opportunity to finish the job in their own backyard. The quarterfinal draw is expected to take place on March 20. Defending champions Esperance (Tunisia) and Algerian sides CS Constantine and Saoura are leading the other groups.
As things stand, Sundowns’s potential opponents in the quarterfinals are Horoya (Guinea), TP Mazembe (DR Congo) and Al Ahly (Egypt). “The last match against Wydad is an important match because you must also understand there’s only a threepoint difference between us. So you don’t want to lose at Wydad and you must try to keep being top of the log and avoid the big boys [in the quarterfinals],” said Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane after their clash against Lobi in Atteridgeville, Pretoria.
“I’m not saying the teams that are coming second on the other side are not good because in the Champions League anybody can beat anybody.” Mosimane, meanwhile, was forced into a change at halftime with midfielder Tiyani Mabunda having picked up a yellow card early in the first half. On the domestic front, Sundowns face Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala stadium tomorrow (7.30pm).