Komphela Wary Of Pyramids’ CAFCL Scoring Prowess In Cairo
Mamelodi Sundowns senior coach Steve Komphela has cautioned the Brazilians against the goal-scoring prowess of Pyramids FC at home ahead of the second leg of the CAF Champions League final in Cairo on Sunday.
The ambitious Egyptian side scored 26 goals in seven home matches they played in Africa’s elite club competition this season, including the preliminary rounds. Krunoslav Juricic’s men won all the encounters in their backyard, conceding just seven goals.
Having conceded the crucial away goal at the death in Pretoria, Masandawana face an uphill battle of masterminding a win on the road, which could see them return from the North as African champions for the second time in their history.
With the Cairo-based outfit booking its place in the continental decider at the expense of Orlando Pirates in the semi-final, the Downs coach refused to draw parallels from Pyramids’ clash against the Soweto giants as he warns against their threat in front of goals.
“You don’t want to look at them based on how they behaved when they played Orlando Pirates because games are different, teams are different, and the mood differs. We are Mamelodi Sundowns, we are different from any other team,” said Komphela.
“So, looking at how they approached us was quite clear and we just have to develop some level of anticipation on how they are going to approach us at home. But we have to acknowledge the fact that they are highly scoring.”
Despite being fully aware of their opponent’s goal threat, Komphela is equally confident the Sundowns defense can thwart any danger posed. “They score a lot of goals, but our defense also is quite very tight, we defend very properly,” he added.
Moreover, the Sundowns second in command urged the Tshwane giants to not take Pyramids lightly in their backyard due to Juricic’s team not having a huge fanbase as they compete with Al Ahly and Zamalek SC for supporters in the city of Cairo.
“You don’t want to send negative messages; you want to have your focus to the highest levels of threats so that there are no rooms for complacency,” asserted Komphela, who returned to Chloorkop in July last year after a brief stint away from the club.
So, we have to go there [with a winning mentality], we are playing away, it’s 1-1, we need to do business, it’s the last match of a cup final, in a two-legged affair, you’re playing away, you have to win it.”
Sundowns will be eager to overcome the odds and secure a favorable result that will see them add a second star to their crest, while Pyramids have a decent chance of claiming their first-ever Champions League title on home soil.
