LekokoLaSpace powered by Hollywoodbets unpacked the highly-anticipated CAF Champions League semi-final clash as Mamelodi Sundowns are set to host four-time champions Esperance on Friday.
The Brazilians will be aiming to overturn a 1-0 deficit as the visitors edged the first leg in Tunisia on Saturday with Brazilian international Yan Sasse scoring the decisive goal.
Speaking in this week’s episode Sundowns legend Roger Feutumba reckons that coach Rulani Mokwena’s side will turn things around in the return leg and qualify for this year’s final and win the prestigious trophy.
“Sundowns is a well-organised team in terms of philosophy, in terms of management and everything,” said Feutumba.
“So, that is the advantage they have over many teams in the league (DStv Premiership). The league is not weak it’s just that they are a little better than others.
“Now going to Africa if you check we can argue to say Sundowns is one of the best teams in Africa.
“It’s not because of the South African league it’s because of their position in Africa in those competitions Champions Leagues and all those cups they are involved in Africa.
“The type of football they play is convincing and I believe that if they stay focused on the game (against Esperance). If they go to that game with the right mindset I don’t see why we can’t win it.
“We can win it and go to the final and win the Champions League, we have the quality, we have quality on the bench and the team is well-organised and I believe the time for Sundowns to win the Champions League is now,” he concluded.
On the other hand, Tunisian journalist Ahmed Fares also joined the chat and stated that no one expected Africa’s Monster to reach the last four of the competition with the way they have been playing.
“Esperance is better than the first half of this competition it has completely changed with some recruitments and the coming of Miguel Cardoso the face of the team has changed a lot.
“Before coach Miguel Cardoso Esperance used to concede goals but when he came Esperance has not been conceding goals.
“Even when they play away against Petro Luanda and same in the league they didn’t concede which is something good.
“And they play very well (Esperance ), they defend very well and that’s what they did here in Tunisia (against Sundowns).
“Sundowns is better than Esperance and that generation that beat Sundowns by 2-1 in Pretoria (in 2017) is not the same generation that they have.
“Esperance is trying to build a new team and nobody expected that this team would reach the semi-final of this year’s edition,” he concluded.
This will be the fourth time these two teams face each other in the competition with the visitors winning twice and drawing one against the Brazilians.
Kick-off is at 20:00 Friday.
— LeKoKo (@UncappedLekoko) April 25, 2024
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