Stade Malien Coach: “We Will Turn It Around In Bamako”
Stade Malien coach Mauril Njoya has warned Mamelodi Sundowns that the tie is far from over, insisting his side can still turn things around in the second leg of the CAF Champions League quarter-final next weekend.
Sundowns built a commanding advantage in the first leg after hammering the West African side 3-0 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday night.
Miguel Cardoso’s side opened the scoring through Khuliso Mudau in the first half, before Brayan León and Iqraam Rayners added two more after the break, putting Sundowns in a strong position ahead of the return leg.
Despite the heavy defeat, Njoya believes the tie is still alive and says his team will be strengthened by the return of several injured and suspended players.
“I can say there is a lot of regret because we gave Mamelodi Sundowns an easy win,” said Njoya after the match.
“I also have to say we have a lot of injured players and players who were suspended. In Bamako, we will have all of them back. I can tell you, we will turn the situation around in Bamako.”
During the press conference, the Malian coach reiterated his confidence in his team.
“In Bamako, we will show who we are,” he added.
Stade Malien had impressed during the group stage of the competition, conceding only two goals while finishing top of their group ahead of African heavyweights such as Espérance de Tunis, Simba SC and Atlético Petróleos de Luanda.
Finishing top of the group gave them the advantage of hosting the second leg in Bamako, where Njoya believes his side can stage a comeback.
However, conceding three goals against Sundowns already exceeds the total they allowed during the group phase, leaving the Malian side with a daunting task in the return leg.
“I think we gave too much away to Mamelodi Sundowns,” Njoya said.
“This is not because of their experience in the Champions League or because they were stronger than us. In football, such things can happen.
“I think the next match won’t be the same, and I can promise you that we are going to win in Bamako. Even 3-0, or through penalty kicks, I don’t know — but we have to score goals, many goals.”
