Sphiwe Masilela
Rhulani Mokwena, Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach reckons they are ready for the DR Congo giants, TP Mazembe.
Mokwena said from watching their opponents’ matches, they have picked up their opponents’ aggressive attitude but they are ready for them.
“They are a very good team overall. Defensively, they are strong. We have watched their last three matches,” he said.
“They play a 4-4-1-1 formation and they are a team with very complex personalities. They are very aggressive.”
The two teams will battle it out in the CAF Champions League group B match on Saturday in Lubumbashi.
The Brazilians boast two wins in the tournament while Mazembe goes into this game on the back of two draws.
Sundowns, who won the prestigious continental accolade under Pitso Mosimane in 2016, arrived early in DR Congo to get used to the conditions.
“The trip was okay. The pitch and weather conditions suit us perfectly. We were expecting high temperatures but it is overcast and there’s a bit of rain,” said Mokwena.
“It will be interesting to see what approach they adopt because they need the three points more than us.”
No South African side has ever won in Lubumbashi. The record is three draws and four defeats.
In another CAF Champions League clash, Kaizer Chiefs, who have yet to register a win or score in the competition, take on Atletico Petroleos de Luanda in a must-win match at the FNB Stadium if they are to keep their quarterfinal ambitions alive. Chiefs lost 4-0 to Wydad Casablanca of Tunisia and drew 0-0 with Horoya FC.
Picture source: @Masandawana
