Petro de Luanda FC star striker Gleison Moreira has warned his teammates against underrating wounded Cape Town City in Friday’s CAF Champions League clash.
Moreira said this ahead of the Angolan champions’ home first-round second-leg match against City in Luanda.
The Brazilian forward Moreira insisted that there is still plenty to fight for despite that they carry a three-goal advantage going into the home match.
WHAT MOREIRA SAID
“There are 90 more minutes, and to avoid a surprise, you have to stay attentive and strong,” he told the club’s website.
Petro de Luanda coach Alexandre Santos echoed Moreira’s remarks, urging the hosts to remain level-headed.
“It is a decisive game. It is a game that will make it possible for us to be in the group stage again, which is one of the big goals this season internationally,” he said.
The Brazilian trainer added that reaching the group could help raise their profile and also bring financial rewards.
“The group stage, we know, is one of the biggest stages of African competitions, and that can allow us not only financial rewards but also increased dimension of the club on the international level,” he said.
Petro de Luanda got the business done at Cape Town Stadium last weekend when they won 3-0 through Moreira’s strike and Tiago Azulao’s brace.
Things went from bad to worse for the Citizens as their Cameroonian midfielder Fidele Ambina was red-carded.
Ironically, former Cape Town City goalkeeper Hugo Marques manned the posts for the visitors in the first leg. He is also expected to feature on Friday.
The Angolans seem to have a formula for dealing with South African opposition, as last year they booted out pre-tournament favourites Mamelodi Sundowns.
The second-leg round of 32 matches will produce 16 teams that will sail through to the last 16 of the continental competition.
Wydad Casablanca are the defending champions of the continental league.
