Abram Nteo has revealed the secret to Royal AM’s away-goal rule win over Zambian giants Zesco United in a CAF Confederation Cup clash at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Zambia on Saturday afternoon.
The Royal AM stand-in coach Nteo says they took lessons they learned from Zesco’s league games and first-leg encounter in Durban, which ended goalless last week.
Nteo’s men came back from a goal down to hold Zesco to a 1-1 draw in the second round preliminary round, second leg game in Zambia.
Royal AM go through to the next round via the away goal rule in their maiden appearance in the CAF club competition.
NTEO’S REACTION
“It is always different to play Zesco, I have been following them before; when the fixture came out, we knew after Highlanders we were going to play Zesco,” Nteo told the media.
“We have been following their progress in the league. I could see that they don’t score too much, but they also don’t concede.
“I think in the league, they scored three goals, and they conceded one goal, so we had a bit of information about them, but they are a good team with very good players who can influence a game very positively.
“So, it was not easy for us to come here, we knew that it was going to be tough, we needed to score a goal, and the boys did that,” he added.
Nteo revealed the turning point in the second leg after going 1-0 down in the first half, with his troops putting in a good shift in the final 45 minutes of the game.
“We introduced two players in the second half because we could see that they were getting tired,” explained Nteo.
“In South Africa, it was a two-half match; in the second half, we created so many chances and we could have won the game back home, but they also had their chances.
“But the overall performance was good, it is the first time we are part of the CAF Confederation Cup, so we are learning.
“We are a new team, and it is a positive result, and I hope the players know the importance of playing in the competition. We are motivated to be a part of this.”
Royal AM will join Marumo Gallants and Cape Town City in the CAF Confederation Cup playoff round.
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