Manyama: Cut rookie mistakes
CHIEFS: MIDFIELDER IS CONVINCED ALL IS NOT LOST YET
Kaizer Chiefs midfieder, Lebogang Manyama has admitted that they made rookie mistakes in their horrendous 4-0 defeat to Wydad Athletic in a Caf Champions League match in Burkina Faso last Sunday.
Amakhosi were easily taken apart and allowed the Moroccan side to have their way with them in what ended up as a shameful result that dampened the mood around the Naturena side’s Champions League run.
Chiefs have just one point from their opening two group matches as they prepare to take on Petro de Luanda at FNB Stadium tomorrow.
Manyama says they had to put all their eggs in one basket and hope for the best, after conceding what he said were “silly goals”, that saw them trail Wydad early in the second half.
“We knew it was going to be tough. We were playing against the top sides in Africa – the likes of Wydad and Horoya. The first game we could have won (Chiefs drew 0-0 with Horoya), we had so many chances but unfortunately we couldn’t get the ball in the net, as it has been this season.
“Sometimes we get punished for missing those chances. When you win your home games in this tournament it makes things easier, that is why we have to make sure we win this one (against Petro).
“We knew Wydad, we had seen them play Sundowns before and they gave them problems. We knew we were coming up against a very strong team, a team who are in the Champions League every season. They had more experience and we gifted them the first two goals,” said Manyama.
“After that, it is either you come back or you get punished more as you try to push forward. It was a good learning experience for us.”
Manyama has not lost hope yet that they could still make something of their Champions League campaign.
“We still have four games to play, and if we can win the two home games and also try for maximum points away, we could still make it. All is not lost.”
On playing the Angola side Manyama said: “It’s another tough game against and unknown opponent, we obviously want to get points so we can catch up with the others in the group.”