Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane. Photo: EPA/Ali Haider
Mosimane: Why finishing behind Sundowns wouldn’t faze Al Ahly coach
Coach Pitso Mosimane says Al Ahly won’t be overly concerned even if they do finish behind Sundowns in the Caf Champions League group.
Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane. Photo: EPA/Ali Haider
Al Ahly rebounded from the somewhat shock 1-0 Caf Champions League defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns by first claiming a 4-1 win over Pharco, followed by another victory against Al-Merrikh.
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Mosimane’s powerful team will soon face a rematch against Sundowns, though, with that return fixture set down for 11 March in Pretoria.
While Al Ahly will of course be targeting a win over Mamelodi Sundowns in this weekend’s clash, Mosimane has revealed why it wouldn’t be the end of the world if they do finish behind the Brazilians in Group A.
“Of course, we want to win against Sundowns in South Africa. We want to beat Sundowns, but if you are No 1 in the group, does it mean you are gonna win the Champions League?
“We won it twice in a row and we were never No 1. But I like No 1,” he added.
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Sundowns will need to be wary of a resurgent Al Ahly team as Mosimane prepares for his ‘homecoming’
Speaking after the big win over Pharco, Mosimane revealed where things went awry against Sundowns in the first game, and what changes they could look to make next time around.
“The last match in the league against Misr Lel Mekassa we played the same system and we scored four goals and today we played the [same] system and scored four goals,” he said after the win over Pharco.
“Yes the last match against Sundowns we played a little bit different, you have to have your midfield right against Sundowns because they make small passes inside.
“Our problem against Sundowns was a goal, only the goal. Alhamdulillah, tonight we got the goals and I’m happy for our players to give our supporters hope, to keep them going, to give them hope that we show – that we’re hurt and angry about the last match.”
Al Ahly will face Pyramids next before travelling to South Africa to face Sundowns in the second round of their Group A Champions League schedule.
Sundowns sit at the summit the group with seven points from four games, three points ahead of Al Ahly and Al Merrikh, with the Brazilians yet to taste defeat in the competition this season.
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