Khama Billiat’s late goal against Zesco United, after Jackson Mwanza’s brace, at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday bailed out Mamelodi Sundowns from the jail they were put in by the shackles of the Zambian side. The Brazilians broke free at the end to put themselves in a decent position to advance to the final of the CAF Champions League this Saturday because of Billiat’s away goal. NJABULO NGIDI, who was in Ndola for the Mamelodi Sundowns’ Champions League semi-final first leg tie against Zesco, looks at five things that Sundowns need to work on in the second leg to overturn the 2-1 deficit.
Have a focal point of attack
It was quite evident that Sundowns miss Leonardo Castro, not just because of the goals he comes up with but also as a point of reference in their attack.
In Castro’s absence through injury, coach Pitso Mosimane started the match with a three-prong attack led by Percy Tau, Billiat and Keagan Dolly. The three diminutive players didn’t impose themselves on Zesco’s defence. They broke them down well through their intricate moves. But without a focal point of attack, Sundowns weren’t menacing enough to take advantage of a shaky defence that conceded in all their matches in the group stage. The introduction of the lanky Antony Laffor changed that.
Free Billiat
As much as Billiat bailed out Sundowns from a compromising position, he also spent the better part of this match in chains.
He wasn’t chained by the Zesco defenders because he found room to produce two volleys that would have been stunning goals had they been on target. Billiat was constricted by the role he played in leading the attack without Castro whom he swaps with as the centre forward. The creative element of the Zimbabwean forward was thus limited. When Laffor came on for Tebogo Langerman, Billiat had more freedom to make things happen. He and the team looked better when he was doing that.
Limit Zesco’s wing play
Mosimane described Zesco’s attack, which transforms from a 4-4-2 to a 4-2-4 when they go forward, as awkward.
The four attackers - Kondwani Mntonga, Misheck Chaila, Jesse Were and Mwanza - pinned down Sundowns’ fullbacks Siyanda Zwane and Langerman while exposing the lack of pace in centrebacks Thabo Nthethe and Wayne Arendse. The scary part is Zesco did that without their danger-man upfront Idris Mbombo who started on the bench. Nthethe’s intelligence, Arendse’s grafting and Dennis Onyango’s brilliance saved the Brazilians. Despite Zesco attacking in numbers, when Sundowns played a 3-4-3 formation - with Dolly interestingly played at leftback - Downs looked better defensively and going forward. Sundowns choked Zesco then, stifling their potent attack through the wing.
Put pressure on Zesco’s defence
Zesco’s attack covers the frailties of the club’s defence because the opposition is hardly given a chance to test them.
But when they’re tested, they buckle under pressure. They defend in a rigid structure that makes them easy to break down by clever one-twos. The Brazilians did that several times on Saturday with much success in opening them up. If they were more clinical, Sundowns would have returned from Ndola with a win and in a comfortable position. The South African league champions need to constantly put pressure on Zesco’s defence because they break under it.
Bring an element of surprise
Mosimane revealed after the match that he thought about changing things up by starting with a 3-4-3 formation instead of their usual 4-2-3-1.
He didn’t execute the idea because his assistants, Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena, warned him about trying new things with such high stakes. But when the Brazilians desperately needed a goal, Mosimane changed into a 3-4-3 formation where they limited Zesco’s attack but also put pressure on their defence. The result was a crucial away goal.
That plan worked because it surprised Zesco who studied Sundowns thoroughly. The two teams know each other well. This was their fourth meeting. They’ve hosted each other before. So when you’re planning against someone who knows you well, an element of surprise is needed to break the routine they’re used to.
*Njabulo Ngidi was in Ndola courtesy of Mamelodi Sundowns
The Star