Tanzanian defender Hamad Wazir has shared tips with the Mamelodi Sundowns defenders on what to avoid when facing Fiston Mayele.
Mayele, regarded as Pyramids FC’s key player, poses a significant threat as the Egyptian side prepares to meet Sundowns in the CAF Champions League final.
The two clubs will clash in the first leg on Saturday at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria, with the return match set for June 30 Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.
Mayele dramatically dashed Orlando Pirates’ hopes of winning a continental title when Pyramids staged a comeback to win 3-2 in the semi-final. He netted a brace that propelled the Cairo side to the final.
The former Young Africans striker has been pivotal in the Champions League, scoring eight goals in just 11 matches. On the domestic scene, he has contributed six goals and two assists across 17 matches.
WHAT HAMAD WAZIR LEARNT ABOUT FISTON MAYELE
Wazir, who faced Mayele during his time at Mbeya City, stated that the 30-year-old striker is one you can contain for 89 minutes, but a single lapse in concentration will see him score.
“Mayele is a player who you can contain for 89 minutes, but he comes in and uses one minute to change the result,” Wazir told FARPost. “He’s a player who knows how to capitalise on his opportunities. Fiston knows exactly what to do when he gets a chance.”
Wazir went on to share some advice with Masandawana’s backline. “You’ve got to be careful every second as long as he’s on the pitch, because if you give him one chance, it could change the whole game.”
He remembers how Mayele became increasingly challenging to play against once he acclimated to the Tanzania Premier League. The former AS Vita forward netted 54 goals over the course of two seasons.
“Once he became familiar with the league, he became a threat to every team he faced. I recall playing with him in two games, both at home and away; he couldn’t score a single goal. But the game was very difficult. When he wasn’t scoring, he created chances for his teammates.”
The Brazilians, winners of the Champions League in 2016, will be looking for their second star.
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