Royal AM co-coach Abram Nteo has explained why they struggled against Mbabane Highlanders in their CAF Confederation preliminary round clash on Sunday.
The Durban outfit was expected to roll past the Eswatini giants, who last played competitively in May, but were held to a goalless draw at the Somhlolo Stadium.
Royal AM’s opponents only start their new league campaign at the end of the month, something the visitors were expected to capitalise on.
However, Nteo, who was in the dugout in the absence of Dan Malesela and Khabo Zondo, has painted a picture of why it was tough for them.
Malesela and Zondo watched from the stands as they do not have the requisite CAF qualifications to sit on the bench.
WHY NTEO BELIEVES THEY COULD NOT BREAK DOWN EZIMNYAMA NGENKAZI
Artificial grass
Nteo told journalists that his players battled to play their normal game on artificial turf.
“We wanted to get a win, but you could see our boys were struggling, especially with the field. The ball was not moving the way we’re used to moving it, and even the chances we didn’t create so many chances,” he told the media.
The scorching heat
With temperatures around 34°c, Nteo says his players were affected by the heat as they sought an away goal. “The heat factor played a big role, and a point away is not bad.”
Fearless Highlanders
He rightly pointed out that their less fancied opponents did not give them too much respect in the tie. Royal AM came in as favourites – with nine competitive games under their belt since last month.
However, their opponents took the game to them, creating more opportunities, particularly in the first half.
“In football, there is no professional, and there is no amateur. When we get to the field, we are equal. They never gave us respect. We need to go back [at home on Friday] and fight again. We take it’s a plus as we came and got the point,” he added.
What they need to do
He also observed that Highlanders never allowed them to play their normal game. His conviction is that if they are to win the return leg, they would have to get the early goal at Moses Mabhida.
“We have to win the second leg. I think the boys will do well in the second leg. They have speedy players. We need to deal with the speed and get a goal. We were not playing well. They never gave us a chance to play our football,” he said.
The two sides clash on Friday [4pm] in Durban, with the winner of the tie set to proceed to the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
