Hitman to face Defence despite rumours

Published Mar 18, 2000

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Rumours that Alain Amougou, the dreadlocked Sundowns hitman, had been arrested by police in the Hillbrow crime blitz on Tuesday have been shot down by the club's management and the striker will spearhead the team's attack in their African Champions Cup first-leg tie against Lesotho Defence Force at Loftus on Sunday.

Rumours were rife around Johannesburg on Saturday that Amougou - the man whose double strike for St Louisanne of Reunion dumped Sundowns from the same competition in the second round last year - has been detained in the crime operation.

"That's nonsense," retorted Sundowns assistant coach Neil Tovey late on Friday.

"As far as I know, Amougou has never been arrested nor missed any of our training sessions and will lead from the front against Defence Force."

Tovey admitted that swashbuckling left wingback Lovers Mohlala will be rested after straining a thigh muscle against Orlando Pirates in last week's drawn Castle League game in Durban.

Roger Feutmba is nursing bruised ribs, but could be in the starting line-up if declared fit by the team doctor on Sunday morning.

Tovey travelled to Maseru to assess the army team in their previous-round match against Fortior of Madagascar - they won 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out - and was impressed.

"They are indeed a useful side - with two players in particular very troublesome," said Tovey. "Those two will need close attention but, having said that, and without any disrespect, we should have no trouble beating them by a fair margin."

SuperSport United play crack Mozambique side Costa do Sol in Maputo in a first-leg, first-round tie in the African Champions Cup and "Jungle Man" Bruce Grobbelaar is confident despite facing a team with five internationals.

Laid low by a bout of malaria, Grobbelaar climbed off his sick bed last week to guide his charges to a 1-0 win over Ajax in a PSL game and is travelling to Maputo with the team.

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