We need to neutralize Sundowns strengths—Petro de Luanda coach

Petro de Luanda coach Alexandre Santos has spelt out two fundamental areas his Angolan charges need to observe to overcome Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League quarter-final clashes.

Santos told Petro de Luanda website that his players must strive to minimise unforced errors and then neutralize the DStv Premiership team’s strengths in the two-legged matches scheduled for April 15 and 16 and on April 22 and 23.

The Portuguese mentor spoke about the tactical areas when his squad regrouped on Monday to psyche up for the first leg match scheduled for Luanda.

“The aim of the preparation is for the team to be very balanced, which is something fundamental in knockout games,” Santos says in a translated version of Portuguese.

“[We need to be] very balanced offensively and defensively because when it comes to the quarter-finals of the Champions League against opponents like this, we have to prepare fundamentally from the point of view of the ability to not to make mistakes and strategically, be able to nullify the strengths of Sundowns which are several.”

He said his team was focusing on the Champions League matches after coming to the logical conclusion of Angola’s top-flight’s Girabola League’s race with two games to the finish line.

 “The focus is exclusive to the Champions League, which allows us to prepare better. Fortunately, we are starting the week with all the players available. The players are aware that we can continue in this great competition and achieve a feat in two weeks,” the coach added.

Petro de Luanda have since welcomed back influential midfielder Soares who missed back-to-back domestic league games against Progresso Sambinzanga and Sporting de Cabinda due to a toothache.

Sundowns are the favourites to win the Champions League title this season after finishing undefeated in Group A. In contrast, Petro settled for second place behind leaders Wydad Athletic in Group D.

By Peter Kanjere