CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Mamelodi Sundowns map out plan to suffocate Esperance in first-leg semi-final

The 2016 Champions League winners go up against four-time holders Esperance of Tunisia.

Masandawana landed in the city of Rades on Wednesday, and they are expecting a sea of red at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi this Saturday.

Sundowns speedster, Thapelo Morena, is one of the players who Mokwena is going to rely on as the DStv Premiership defending champions know where to cut Esperance’s legs.

“They are going to come guns blazing in the first few minutes because they are playing at home and they are going to go mostly on the sides because that is how they play,” said Morena.

In the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Morena had a chance to play against Tunisia for Bafana Bafana, and the 30-year-old suspects that Esperance might deploy the same tactics.

Given that Sundowns had 10 players in the national team at the Afcon, this might give Downs a slight advantage.

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“They are going to use the style of play that [the Tunisian national team used] at the Afcon. The most important thing is to try and close the sides where we have numbers,” Morena explained.

His biggest concern, however, is the hostility expected from the sea of red at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi this Saturday.

Fans in North Africa usually point lasers at the eyes of players and light up smoke bombs in an attempt to distract the opposition.

Be that as it may, Morena looks at the positive side, suggesting that Downs’ experience in the Champions League has prepared them to face any situation.

“It is one of the best crowds that I have ever played in front of. It is not the first time being in Tunisia and playing against Esperance. I think this season is going to be much better than the last time I was here.

“I think we are going to have a great atmosphere, but the most important thing is the flames and the fireworks (lit up by fans in the stands) that are going to be just around us.

“Our mindset is a bit different when we play in the Champions League, especially when we play away because we know how passionate supporters are. When the atmosphere is like that, we want to play our normal football and do our best,” Morena explained.

The match is scheduled to kick-off at 21:00 (SA time) while the return leg will take place in South Africa’s capital city six days later.