Mamelodi Sundowns defender Mothobi Mvala has highlighted two lessons from the CAF Champions League first-leg against Pyramids FC last Saturday.
The Egyptian side scored a late goal at Loftus Stadium to secure a crucial 1-1 draw. They go into the reverse fixture at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo with the all-important away goal.
It means Sundowns must outscore them in their own backyard on Sunday night to lift the coveted continental title. The Bafana Bafana defence stalwart believes it is possible if they apply some crucial lessons from the first-leg.
WHAT CRUCIAL TWO LESSONS DID MVALA HIGHLIGHT AHEAD OF PYRAMIDS CLASH?
Mvala, who recently returned from injury, has urged his teammates to deny Pyramids scoring opportunities while seizing every chance that comes their way. “We started the first-leg well enough [at Loftus], and we stopped their crosses, it was just in the dying minutes during which we lost concentration,” he told journalists earlier this week.
He is convinced it will be key to “kill the game” by scoring a few goals. “I think we should kill this game early, and to kill the game, we need to score a few more goals,” added the former Highlands Park utility player. Sundowns, winners of this competition in 2016, hold a distinct experience advantage over Pyramids, and Mvala has called on the team’s senior players to step up.
“We really need the experienced players to come to the party, especially in the changing room, to push the guys over the line. We’ve played Pyramids in Cairo before, and I believe that because they don’t have many supporters, that might count in our favour,” he said.
Despite the visible disappointment after Pyramids’ equaliser in the first leg, Mvala is upbeat that Sundowns has what it takes to win a second star.
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