Mamelodi Sundowns got exactly what they wanted in their 3-0 win against Zamalek in the first leg of the Caf Champions League final at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday, said Downs’ “emotional” coach Pitso Mosimane.
Zamalek had little answer defensively to Sundowns’ forceful, skilful attacking play in the first half where they took a 2-0 lead through goals by Anthony Laffor in the 32 minute and Tebogo Langerman in the 40.
Under-pressure centreback Eslam Hamed turned Percy Tau’s low cross into his own net inside the first minute of the second half as Downs ran out with three unanswered goals that make them overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy in the second leg in Alexandria on Sunday next weekend.
“What an emotional game. I don’t think we should complain when we score two goals in the first half,” Mosimane said afterwards.
“I think we got what we wanted – to score the goals, and go to Alexandria with at least something in your pocket. Not to go and fight for a goal there.
“For us as coaches – I think the coach of Zamalek will say the same thing – these teams know each other so well.
“OK, I didn’t predict the scoreline. But the way they play, and the way we play, we know each other well.”
The gulf in class of performances makes it a highly unlikely possibility that Zamalek will be able to come back from the 3-0 deficit in the second leg at Borg El Arab Stadium.
Downs stand on the verge of going one better than their 4-1 aggregate final defeat against Zamalek’s Cairo neighbours Al Ahly in the 2001 Champions League.
The Brazilians would become the first South African club to lift the Champions League trophy since Orlando Pirates I 995.
Bucs have been the sole SA side to become African champions, when the competition was still played on an entirely knockout format and called the Champions Cup.
Pitso – ‘What an emotional game’
Mamelodi Sundowns got exactly what they wanted in their 3-0 win against Zamalek in the first leg of the Caf Champions League final at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday, said Downs’ “emotional” coach Pitso Mosimane.
Zamalek had little answer defensively to Sundowns’ forceful, skilful attacking play in the first half where they took a 2-0 lead through goals by Anthony Laffor in the 32 minute and Tebogo Langerman in the 40.
Under-pressure centreback Eslam Hamed turned Percy Tau’s low cross into his own net inside the first minute of the second half as Downs ran out with three unanswered goals that make them overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy in the second leg in Alexandria on Sunday next weekend.
“What an emotional game. I don’t think we should complain when we score two goals in the first half,” Mosimane said afterwards.
“I think we got what we wanted – to score the goals, and go to Alexandria with at least something in your pocket. Not to go and fight for a goal there.
“For us as coaches – I think the coach of Zamalek will say the same thing – these teams know each other so well.
“OK, I didn’t predict the scoreline. But the way they play, and the way we play, we know each other well.”
The gulf in class of performances makes it a highly unlikely possibility that Zamalek will be able to come back from the 3-0 deficit in the second leg at Borg El Arab Stadium.
Downs stand on the verge of going one better than their 4-1 aggregate final defeat against Zamalek’s Cairo neighbours Al Ahly in the 2001 Champions League.
The Brazilians would become the first South African club to lift the Champions League trophy since Orlando Pirates I 995.
Bucs have been the sole SA side to become African champions, when the competition was still played on an entirely knockout format and called the Champions Cup.
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