Erstwhile Mamelodi Sundowns defender Lovers Mohlala has revealed the biggest factor that led to Sundowns losing 4-1 to Egytian side Al Ahly in the 2001 CAF Champions League final.
At the time, travelling to north Africa required Sundowns to go via Europe.
"Al Ahly had many players in the national team and they were the best team. At the time, they won the tournament three times in a row. We only had about three players in the national team. So it was like Sundowns were playing against the Egyptian national team," Mohlala said yesterday, adding that their loss had nothing to do with the extended trip.
According to the now retired left-back, the playing fields are level, considering that the current Sundowns is made up of international players.
"The difference now is that most Sundowns players are international players representing different countries.
"It does not end there because we are also talking about a Sundowns team with the best local coach [Pitso Mosimane] who has brought the best out of players.
"If you look at [Khama] Billiat the way he was playing at Ajax, he is now a totally different player," Mohlala continued.
Interestingly, some Al Ahly fans - Zamalek's rivals - have been posting messages of support for Sundowns in the midst of Zamalek fans sending death threats to Sundowns players.
Mohlala, though, has argued that Al Ahly's support will count for little. He said the fact is Sundowns have already beaten Zamalek three times in this year's campaign and therefore have the upper hand.
"I remember Sundowns playing at Loftus in front of 5000 fans and when we got that side, there were 85000 inside the [Cairo national] stadium.
"All that matters is that Sundowns approach this like a boxing match; they punch and you punch back instead of just blocking [defending]. Sundowns must not be defensive," he warned.
Don't be defensive - Lovers
Erstwhile Mamelodi Sundowns defender Lovers Mohlala has revealed the biggest factor that led to Sundowns losing 4-1 to Egytian side Al Ahly in the 2001 CAF Champions League final.
At the time, travelling to north Africa required Sundowns to go via Europe.
"Al Ahly had many players in the national team and they were the best team. At the time, they won the tournament three times in a row. We only had about three players in the national team. So it was like Sundowns were playing against the Egyptian national team," Mohlala said yesterday, adding that their loss had nothing to do with the extended trip.
According to the now retired left-back, the playing fields are level, considering that the current Sundowns is made up of international players.
"The difference now is that most Sundowns players are international players representing different countries.
"It does not end there because we are also talking about a Sundowns team with the best local coach [Pitso Mosimane] who has brought the best out of players.
"If you look at [Khama] Billiat the way he was playing at Ajax, he is now a totally different player," Mohlala continued.
Interestingly, some Al Ahly fans - Zamalek's rivals - have been posting messages of support for Sundowns in the midst of Zamalek fans sending death threats to Sundowns players.
Mohlala, though, has argued that Al Ahly's support will count for little. He said the fact is Sundowns have already beaten Zamalek three times in this year's campaign and therefore have the upper hand.
"I remember Sundowns playing at Loftus in front of 5000 fans and when we got that side, there were 85000 inside the [Cairo national] stadium.
"All that matters is that Sundowns approach this like a boxing match; they punch and you punch back instead of just blocking [defending]. Sundowns must not be defensive," he warned.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos