Mamelodi Sundowns cannot afford to slip-up against Nigeria side Enyimba
Nick Said
Mamelodi Sundowns’ roller-coaster 2016 African Champions League campaign took another twist when they lost the points from their excellent opening group phase victory over ES Setif in Algeria earlier this month.
It means they start on zero points in what is effectively their first group game when they host Nigerian champions Enyimba at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Wednesday night (kick-off 19h30).
Having snuck through the back door into the group phase after the disqualification of AS Vita Club from the competition‚ Sundowns are now looking to make the most of that good fortune.
But the loss of the points gained in Algeria‚ after Setif were also disqualified from the competition for crowd violence towards the end of the game that Sundowns won 2-0‚ is a major irritation for coach Pitso Mosimane.
There are positives to be taken from every situation though and Sundowns can take great heart and belief from their performance in Setif.
The way they ‘managed’ the match‚ containing the home side and using their pace on the break was‚ despite the final outcome‚ one of the best showings ever from a South African side on the road in CAF club competitions.
Wednesday’s clash against Enyimba presents a different type of challenge and requires a change in game-plan from Mosimane.
Sundowns will have to make the running and‚ as away points are like gold in this competition‚ will know that a victory at home is a must.
“You have to win two games at home‚ beat Zamalek and Enyimba then you are on six points‚” Mosimane told reporters.
“Our mentality has changed a bit‚ we have found our confidence to go out and win.”
Enyimba‚ back-to-back winners of the Champions League in 2003 and in 2004‚ know that another loss will be a huge set-back in their hopes of advancing to the semifinals in what is now a three-team group.
They lost 1-0 at home to Egyptian giants Zamalek in their pool opener‚ and a draw in Atteridgeville will be viewed as a positive result with a home encounter against Sundowns to come.
Coach Paul Aigbogun was disappointed by the Zamlaek loss in a game in which he felt his side were on top .
“We dominated at least 80% of the game‚” he said.
“But in football‚ you can dominate without putting the ball in the net. We have taken a lot of positive points from the game. Zamalek is not a bad team.
“We are in a tough group. We will play our remaining matches with confidence.”
Following that loss to Zamalek‚ Enyimba have added former Sunshine Stars coach Samson Unuanel to their technical team to work with Aigbogun‚ a sign the club is not altogether happy with the latter.
Enyimba have twice before met South African opposition in the group stages of the Champions League.
In 2005 they drew 1-1 against Ajax Cape Town in South Africa before claiming a 2-0 home success against the Urban Warriors.
The following year they clashed with Orlando Pirates at the same stage and lost 1-0 in South Africa‚ but held the Buccaneers to a 1-1 draw in Aba. — Tiso Black Star Group Digital