Remo Stars FC coach Tiago Conde is wearing a brave face despite a daunting task to overturn a 5-1 defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns in last week’s CAF Champions League Second Preliminary Round, first leg.
The two sides tackle each other in a second-leg confrontation at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday (15:30). Needing to win by at least a four-goal margin to proceed to the group phase, Remo Stars face what looks like an impossible mission.
They come up against a Masandawana side which dominated them in Abeokuta. It was an afternoon they were humiliated in front of their own fans. It was also a match which exposed the huge gulf between the Nigerian outfit and the PSL champions, from player quality to tactics.
With Sundowns winning comfortably away, it appears on paper that they will take their visitors to the cleaners.
But Conde has refused to throw in the towel, daringly insisting the contest is not yet over and is plotting to cause an upset.
WHAT CONDE BELIEVES REMO STARS CAN DO AGAINST SUNDOWNS
“Of course, after the first leg, there was preparation for the second leg. What we prepared and want to do is what we tried to do in the first leg, some things that did not happen. Now we are trying to correct things and be more effective and balanced, what a Champions League game is like,” said Conde.
“If my players and I were not prepared or believe that we can win and score five goals and go to the group stage, there is no point in being here.
“We trust and believe we can do it. Of course, it’s difficult, but we will be difficult as well for Mamelodi Sundowns for them to score another five goals.
“It’s difficult for both sides. It’s 11 against 11 for 90 minutes, we know it’s hard work.”
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