Linda Moreotsene
Linda Moreotsene
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Gordon Igesund has complained about the lack of penetration that he says is the reason his team often has to come from behind to win games.
It was again the case against Cameroon club Astres Douala in a CAF Confederation Cup clash on Saturday night at Loftus, which Sundowns eventually won 2-1.
Igesund bemoaned the lack of fire- power up front , which saw him using midfielders Surprise Moriri and Manqoba Ngweya as strikers.
"With the unavailability of key players such as Lerato Chabangu, Godfrey Sapula and Esrom Nyandoro, I have found myself pretty thin, making it necessary for me to use my midfielders as strikers. The situation is obviously not ideal as shown by our lack of penetration in tonight's [Saturday's] game," Igesund said.
He said the Brazilians were shopping for strikers and hoped to have them on board by the time the league gets into full swing.
"I have brought Mbulelo Mabizela from injury earlier than I wanted to, and he struggled a bit tonight, but with Michael Manzini and David Kannemeyer also out, it was going to be difficult."
But Igesund was happy with his team's performance under the circumstances.
"Douala is a good, physical team who made things difficult for us. It is great for us to get this experience since our plan really is to win the Champions League. We are now top of our group and it comes down to the game against CS Sfaxien at home."
Douala's Hans Ossah scored their solitary goal in the 32nd minute. Two minutes later Surprise Moriri headed the Brazilians level and Benson Mhlongo, who had been booed by fans throughout the match, scored the winner.
Douala coach Tonge Tonye blamed the loss on chilly weather conditions, and said he planned to capitalise fully on the unfamiliar weather the South Africans will encounter in Cameroon. He also felt the red card Angolan referee Antonio de Sousa handed Yannick Kabon for two bookable offences in the second half was unfair.
"I feel the referee felt obliged to do that because of pressure from the home side. Playing at home will change everything for us," Tonye said.
Downs coach worried
Linda Moreotsene
Linda Moreotsene
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Gordon Igesund has complained about the lack of penetration that he says is the reason his team often has to come from behind to win games.
It was again the case against Cameroon club Astres Douala in a CAF Confederation Cup clash on Saturday night at Loftus, which Sundowns eventually won 2-1.
Igesund bemoaned the lack of fire- power up front , which saw him using midfielders Surprise Moriri and Manqoba Ngweya as strikers.
"With the unavailability of key players such as Lerato Chabangu, Godfrey Sapula and Esrom Nyandoro, I have found myself pretty thin, making it necessary for me to use my midfielders as strikers. The situation is obviously not ideal as shown by our lack of penetration in tonight's [Saturday's] game," Igesund said.
He said the Brazilians were shopping for strikers and hoped to have them on board by the time the league gets into full swing.
"I have brought Mbulelo Mabizela from injury earlier than I wanted to, and he struggled a bit tonight, but with Michael Manzini and David Kannemeyer also out, it was going to be difficult."
But Igesund was happy with his team's performance under the circumstances.
"Douala is a good, physical team who made things difficult for us. It is great for us to get this experience since our plan really is to win the Champions League. We are now top of our group and it comes down to the game against CS Sfaxien at home."
Douala's Hans Ossah scored their solitary goal in the 32nd minute. Two minutes later Surprise Moriri headed the Brazilians level and Benson Mhlongo, who had been booed by fans throughout the match, scored the winner.
Douala coach Tonge Tonye blamed the loss on chilly weather conditions, and said he planned to capitalise fully on the unfamiliar weather the South Africans will encounter in Cameroon. He also felt the red card Angolan referee Antonio de Sousa handed Yannick Kabon for two bookable offences in the second half was unfair.
"I feel the referee felt obliged to do that because of pressure from the home side. Playing at home will change everything for us," Tonye said.
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