Downs fail Horoya exam

Much like preparing for an exam and having all that you’ve studied come out in the exam, Pitso Mosimane (above) says Guinean side Horoya Athlétique Club’s performance was exactly what he anticipated and expected from them in the Caf Champions League.

However, he did not have all the answers as his side, favourites in the match, failed to win all three points, playing to a 2-2 draw in Conakry in their rescheduled Group C match on Tuesday evening.

Sundowns fell behind six minutes into the second half when Burkina Faso striker Ocansey Mandela struck, and though Khama Billiat’s goal and a Gaston Sirino penalty put Masandawana ahead, an equaliser from Aboubacar Camara seven minutes from time earned the home side a point.

“What I said is exactly what came out ... that is we need to respect the team and be very careful.

“It was exactly the same players who I mentioned – Ocansey Mandela, Ibrahima Sankhon and the two midfielders, they caused a few problems for us,” Mosimane told reporters after the match.

“We couldn’t play our normal football in the first half but in the second half we played the way we always play and we could find each other with the passing,” he added.

Mosimane consoled himself by leaning towards the age-old football proverb ‘one point is better than nothing’.

“They are a good team and we saw what happened. We tried to win but they equalised and I said if we don’t win, at least we don’t lose.”

The result leaves Sundowns playing catch-up in Group C, with two points from two games, compared to Horoya and Wydad Casablanca, who both have four points. Sundowns’ next game is away to AS Togo-Port in mid-July.