Durban - Considering Mamelodi Sundowns kicked off the defence of their Absa Premiership crown with a goalless draw at a Maritzburg United side that was almost relegated last season, coach Pitso Mosimane was rather jovial.
Whereas last season they won 3-2 at Maritzburg and 3-0 at home, Sundowns might even have lost this mid-week clash. However, it was the bigger picture that gave Mosimane reason to smile. In the wider scheme of the Brazilians’ football aspirations, their CAF Champions League semi-final, first leg date with Zambia’s Zesco United in Ndola on Saturday looms large.
Sundowns are two games away from reaching the final of Africa’s premier club competition, a feat they achieved once in 2001 when they lost to Egypt’s Al Ahly. A decent result in the Zambian copperbelt, followed by a positive outing a week later in Pretoria will take Sundowns into the final against one of the North African giants, Zamalek of Egypt or Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca.
The North African derby semi-final first leg will be played tonight in Alexandria, Egypt. There’s a South African connection there, with referee Daniel Bennett leading the match officials. He will be assisted by Zakhele Siwela and Stevens Khumalo.
Before Mosimane can think of lifting gold in the final, he must cut the copper cables of the Zambian power utility side. Selecting virtually a B team against Maritzburg was to preserve his big guns such as Keagan Dolly, Denis Onyango, Tebogo Langerman, Khama Billiat and Hlompho Kekana for on Saturday.
“We have to go and fight there. Of course we would like to win, but Zesco have an unbelievable attack and we’ve got to be very organised. They have Jesse Were the Kenyan striker, Cletous Chama on the left who is very good, and the Kenyan defender. We know how they play. In that department we don’t have to worry, it’s sorted. It doesn’t mean we’re going to win but we know the team. At home they’re too good, so maybe a worst result is us not scoring there,” said an upbeat Mosimane, pictured.
The lure of continental glory is irresistible. Mosimane is eager to see the Brazilians join Orlando Pirates as the country’s only other winners of Africa's premier club knockout competition. But it’s a tricky journey to navigate. On the one hand there’s a chance to become African champions while on the other it is success in the domestic competitions which puts clubs on that path.
The coach is in a tight spot, and called for the team to give him direction, because he is wary of disrespecting the sponsors if he selects a second string team for the MTN8 semi-final second leg tie against Chippa United which is sandwiched by the CAF games.
“Maybe this team (against Maritzburg) must play Chippa, I’ve got no option. To go to the semi-finals of the Champions League doesn’t come often. Sundowns won the top eight before; they’ll be in it next year. I’m not saying the top eight is not important. People will say Pitso is not respecting the top eight, but the program says maybe I must not put the right team in the top eight. Nobody must complain because the program is like that. The team must give direction, to say where to prioritise.”
To enjoy success on both fronts Sundowns will need their fringe players to step up and gel as a formidable unit. Among those who earned the coach’s praise on Wednesday were left-back Samuel Julies, right-back Motjeka Madisha and midfielder Lucky Mohomi.
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The Star