Onyango, Lwanga need Caf miracles
Tough task: Lwanga and his Red Devils of Tanzania will need more than just hard work to overturn a 4-0 aggregate in Dar es Salaam today. PHOTO/AGENCIES
What you need to know:
- Whereas Sundowns’ job is tough, Tanzanian club Simba and Cranes defensive midfielder Taddeo Lwanga have a harder task to overturn a 4-0 deficit against Kaizer Chiefs in Dar es Salaam.
Denis Onyango was at fault for the second goal that condemned his South African club Mamelodi Sundowns to a 2-0 first leg Caf Champions League quarterfinal defeat away to holders Al Ahly last Saturday.
But Onyango’s co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes Sundowns can capitalise on the loose backline of the Egyptian record champions and overturn the deficit in Pretoria today.
“The bigger issue is how they approach the game in Pretoria because they would never last long if they played with the same intensity as they did here (in Cairo). They will be forced to play a counter-attacking game,” Mngqithi told the media.
“I don’t think they’re very good at defending in and around the box when they are playing too deep in their half, which is what I think made us have a better second half because they did not press us from the top.”
Mngqithi is backed by the fact that the Red Devils have shipped in 20 goals in their last 25 matches in all competitions this season.
Healthy advantage
The nine-time winners Al Ahly however still have the advantage, thanks to Taher Mohamed Taher and Salah Mohsen’s goals.
2016 champions Sundowns are looking to bank on history and beat Al Ahly, now under their former coach Pitso Mosimane. Sundowns beat Al Ahly 5-0 at home to qualify for the 2019 semifinals.
Whereas Sundowns’ job is tough, Tanzanian club Simba and Cranes defensive midfielder Taddeo Lwanga have a harder task to overturn a 4-0 deficit against Kaizer Chiefs in Dar es Salaam.
Banking on proprietor Mohammed Dewji’s financial muscle, the 1974 semifinalists are bidding to become the first East African club to win the tournament but they must improve their defence and pounce on the offensive.
In Johannesburg last week, the Msimbazi Giants defence was a shadow of its show in the group stages where they conceded just twice. And while Lwanga and the backline will need to be tight, more work is needed up-front.
Simba’s chances of advancing lie in forwards Congolese Chris Mugalu, Mozambican Luis Miquissone, Zambian pairing Clatous Chama and Larry Bwalya.
CAF Champions League Quarterfinals 2nd leg today
Simba vs. K. Chiefs (Agg 0-4)
Sundowns vs. Al Ahly (Agg 0-2)
Esperance vs. Belouizdad (Agg 0-2)
Wydad vs. MC Alger (Agg 1 - 1)
