Never one to leave anything to chance, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has been watching how referees handle the pressure of officiating Zamalek's home matches.
Sundowns cannot really be comfortable with the 3-0 lead they are taking into the CAF Champions League second leg final against the White Knights on Sunday (8.30pm), considering how referees have previously influenced results in the competition with questionable decisions.
"We have packaged all of Zamalek's home games, from Wydad (Casablanca) to us to Enyimba. This is to see the mentality and behaviour of their play at home. We also checked the referees ... if they are under pressure or influenced," said the former Bafana coach.
"I'm not saying they are cheating, I am talking about pressure. You must understand it's not easy [for referees]."
Mosimane's plan to conquer Africa has, by his own admission, come earlier than expected.
He had always targeted next year's Champions League tournament as one they can possibly win, but it turns out the universe had a different, and an even better, plan for Sundowns.
"This is our second year in the Champions League. We lost in our first year to TP Mazembe and we were rookies.
"We tried again this year and I told you we were having fun, but I was not expecting this. I thought maybe in the third year we could get something out of this," said Mosimane.
"The boys have done exceptionally well to get here. I just can't believe we are at this stage. We have to go for it."
Mosimane is not going to park the bus in Alexandria. Instead, Sundowns are going to go for goals to make Zamalek's task of trying to pull off an incredible comeback impossible.
"They must score four goals to beat us. Okay it's possible, but I think we will score there."
Sundowns can expect the Zamalek supporters, who have reportedly purchased all available tickets, to come to their hotel on the day of the match to try and intimidate them. The flashing of green lasers at the stadium is something they already know a lot about.
See page 38
Pitso wary of refs in crunch tie
Never one to leave anything to chance, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has been watching how referees handle the pressure of officiating Zamalek's home matches.
Sundowns cannot really be comfortable with the 3-0 lead they are taking into the CAF Champions League second leg final against the White Knights on Sunday (8.30pm), considering how referees have previously influenced results in the competition with questionable decisions.
"We have packaged all of Zamalek's home games, from Wydad (Casablanca) to us to Enyimba. This is to see the mentality and behaviour of their play at home. We also checked the referees ... if they are under pressure or influenced," said the former Bafana coach.
"I'm not saying they are cheating, I am talking about pressure. You must understand it's not easy [for referees]."
Mosimane's plan to conquer Africa has, by his own admission, come earlier than expected.
He had always targeted next year's Champions League tournament as one they can possibly win, but it turns out the universe had a different, and an even better, plan for Sundowns.
"This is our second year in the Champions League. We lost in our first year to TP Mazembe and we were rookies.
"We tried again this year and I told you we were having fun, but I was not expecting this. I thought maybe in the third year we could get something out of this," said Mosimane.
"The boys have done exceptionally well to get here. I just can't believe we are at this stage. We have to go for it."
Mosimane is not going to park the bus in Alexandria. Instead, Sundowns are going to go for goals to make Zamalek's task of trying to pull off an incredible comeback impossible.
"They must score four goals to beat us. Okay it's possible, but I think we will score there."
Sundowns can expect the Zamalek supporters, who have reportedly purchased all available tickets, to come to their hotel on the day of the match to try and intimidate them. The flashing of green lasers at the stadium is something they already know a lot about.
See page 38
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