WeeklySA_AdminFOREGONE: Only a miracle can help the Nigerian side avert another humiliating CAF encounter…
By Masoja Cele
Mamelodi Sundowns are home, and will do everything possible to progress to the group stage of the competition without much hassle.
The Mamelodi outfit faces Remo Stars in the second round of the preliminary Confederation of African Football (CAF)Champions League. The encounter is scheduled for Loftus Versveld Stadium, Pretoria, on Sunday at 3.30pm.
Last week, their first leg of the encounter saw Downs annihilate their Nigerian hosts by a staggering margin of 5-1 in front of their home crowd, in a result that could probably be an indicator of another weekend of humiliation for the visitors. That is, if nothing out of the ordinary happens on Sunday following last week’s one-sided display.
But the visitor’s head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, is not swayed by his charges’ drubbing last week. Instead, he is putting his faith in miracles to turn the tide. He believes his side is capable of making a dramatic comeback to equal the scales, even though he is not forthcoming with details of how the almost impossible mission will be achieved.
But there is no gainsaying that “Bafana Ba Style” have already sealed the tie which, to all intents and purposes, is firmly in their grasp. The Nigerian team faces an uphill task against the Tshwane giants especially away from home. Sundowns are regular campaigners in the CAF Champions League, and are familiar with hostile situations away from home, as they have proved in the past.
Their experience and talent has always given them the edge during their foreign exploits.
Remo Stars will attest to have been surprised last week by their visitors showing no stage fright in enemy territory. What more now in their own backyard! “Masandawana” can be ruthless when in their element, especially when they face stubborn opposition. Triggered, their marauding strikers will be unstoppable.
The team’s new Portuguese signee Miguel Reisinho is a perfect replacement for former Downs’ midfielder, Lucas Ribeiro Costa. Signed in September from Portugal’s Boavista, he has been a revelation in the midfield, have mustered a five-star performances already, scoring a goal in their destruction of the Nigerian side.
The mercurial Reisinho is a perfect fit to the squad, gifted with remarkable quickness. His combination with Teboho Mokoena is a marvel to behold.
Worse, the irregularly fielded Peter Shalulile seems to have regained his deadly form, having justified his inclusion in the team with a goal in their match against the Nigerian side. So too Khuliso Mudau, who has picked up form after missing most of the team’s earlier games in the season. Contractual glitches stood in the way of being fielded for the overlapping right-back.
It is expected the “Brazilians” will welcome back to the fold ex-Stellenbosch striker Iqraam Reyners, who picked up an injury during camp with Bafana Bafana a few weeks ago. Head coach Miguel Cardoso will be without trusted defender Malibongwe Khoza, who suffered from an ankle injury at Remo.
Undaunted, the “Sky Blue Stars” remain buoyant of their chances, despite their dim situation, willing to die with their boots on. All with one thing in mind – to fight to the end like soldiers, and direct all their energy towards reversing the defeat.
Whatever tactics Remo coach Ogunmodede applies this time around, it is difficult to see the Nigerian side overcoming the super-charged “Brazilians”.
Whatever the Nigerians do, the odds are loaded against them, with the Mamelodi side content to repeat the same tactics of utilising the space behind the defence to optimal advantage.
If the opposition try to play wide, it seems they will be caught wanting on the flanks. Undoubtedly, Remo’s position is untenable. Yet, Repo Stars young centre forward Samson Olasupo, who last week scored a consolation goal, will be all out striving to do the impossible – to unsettle “Masandawana” defence.
That too, will be in vain. Attacking midfielder Hadi Aruna and Alex Oyowa will be expected to supply Olasupo with passes to score. In defence, Remo will be marshalled by the gangling defender, Ahmed Akinyele, who is expected to protect his goalkeeper, Alludum Kolimba.
Yet, there is no question: Sundowns will easily progress to the group stages of the CAF Champions League at the end of the day.
