- Mamelodi Sundowns lost 2-1 in the first leg
- They will need a win of more than two goals to advance
- Wydad host CRB having won 1-0 in the first leg
Mamelodi Sundowns host Petro de Luanda of Angola in Johannesburg on Saturday as they look to overturn a 2-1 first leg defeat and clinch a ticket to the semi-final of the CAF Champions League.
Prior to the quarters, Sundowns were the form team of the tournament, having won all their matches including an almost perfect run in the group stages, but were stunned with a 2-1 defeat in Luanda.
The Brazilians have a strong record at home, having suffered only two defeats in the Champions League since 2006. They have won 37 games, drawn eight while their only two defeats were at the hands of North African opponents, losing 2-0 to CR Belouizdad last April and 2-1 to Esperance in 2017.
On the contrary, Petro have a poor away record, having won only four of their last 18 matches on the road. Their last away day ended in a 5-1 spanking at the hands of Wydad Club Athletic in their final group match.
With a slender lead from the first leg though, Petro will look to preserve the lead with all they have, against a side talented with a massive strike force.
Sundowns will look on to the likes of Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile to bag in the goals and overturn the first leg result.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ Peter Shalulile and Themba Zwane celebrate
“In a very humble way we accept the lesson and we move on,” said Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena after the first leg result. He added; “We will strive to do well at home and earn qualification. We know it is not going to be easy but we will give our absolute best.”
Meanwhile, CR Belouizdad’s Brazilian coach Marcos Paqueta is confident the team can overturn the 1-0defeat in the second leg of their CAF Champions League quarter final against Morocco’s Wydad Athletic Club on Sunday.
Belouizdad suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to a 10-man Wydad, and the coach said they lost because of one mistake and failing to take their chances.
“Football is a funny game. We dominated but lost after one mistake. This tie is not finished. We need one goal when we play in Casablanca and I know we have a chance. Wydad are a good team with up to seven professionals in their team but we will face them head on,” said.
He added; “We will not change our strategy but just aim to do better especially offensively.”
Wydad will meanwhile need in the least a draw to progress, but they will be going all out for victory at home.
Wydad players celebrate a goal in a past match
Wydad tactician Walid Regragui says they know it will be difficult, but reiterates they will mount a massive challenge to qualify.
“We travelled to Algiers with the aim to win and get closer to the semi-final. It wasn’t easy especially when we had a player sent off. It was a positive result for us and this will now allow us to play the second leg with confidence,” the coach beamed.
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