Stars defender gives the lowdown on win
Michaelson Gumede
Pitso Mosimane (right) and his Mamelodi Sundowns outfit got their 2018/19 Caf Champions League campaign off to a bad start after they suffered a 2-1 shock away defeat at Nigerian side Lobi Stars on Friday.
The Nigerian campaigners, who are known as the Pride of Benue, made sure Masandawana did not get to celebrate a 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions, as Downs lost even though they took the lead through Anthony Laffor in the first half.
A greater concern for Sundowns is that they are continuing to struggle on their travels in the Champions League, with their last away success in the group stages dating back to a 2017 1-0 victory in Ethiopia against Saint George.
Stars’ defender Ebube Duru told Goal.com that he enjoyed the match against the 2016 Champions and said their determination saw them get the better of the Brazilians.
“It was one of the best games I have ever played because the intensity was there and the game finished on a high note,” he said.
“The players of both teams played very well and had the desire to win. We followed the instructions of the coach especially in the second half and this helped us to secure the win.
“We reverted to our wing play and tried to press them with a view to keeping them on their toes in the second half. We also won because of our determination to secure three points from our home game,” he added.
Duru went on to speak highly of debutants Sunday Adetunji and Dare Ojo for their stellar displays, saying the two looked as though they had been with the club for a considerable time.
“Both Sunday Adetunji and Dare Ojo have played on the continent before and their experience showed. Adetunji really surprised me because he only joined us a few days ago and he played for us as if he had been with us for a long time,” said Duru.
Downs’ next assignment in the Champions League is a visit from African giants Wydad Casablanca of Morocco this coming weekend, but first, Sundowns will have to focus on their Absa Premiership title defence as they welcome Maritzburg United in the capital city on Wednesday.