Pirates coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic has advised Mamelodi Sundowns not to rest on their laurels when they face Al Ahly in their crucial Caf Champions League quarter-final second leg.
Pitso Mosimane’s charges arrived in Egypt with a 5-0 lead gained in the first leg in Pretoria last weekend and they are hoping to wrap up the tie tomorrow (6pm, SA time) at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, 350km away from the capital Cairo. The second leg was supposed to take place at Ahly’s fortress, Cairo International Stadium. However, the Egyptians will now host Sundowns at the 86 000 capacity venue seeking to reverse a five-goal deficit.
Sredojevic said Sundowns will need to get more goals to minimise pressure on themselves.
He said: “First of all I don’t know how many people will be allowed to come in at the stadium. The result (5-0 advantage) is better, but that doesn’t give Sundowns the right to be relaxed. They will need to risk and come out.”
Sredojevic revealed that Downs will need to use their pace to get the better of the home side.
“Speed of Sundowns players need to provide that space behind Al Ahly defence and score a goal, then everything will be buried.But until that happens they will be under the pressure,” said the Pirates coach.
Al Ahly’s five-goal thrashing is the club’s biggest defeat in 77 years.
Sundowns star midfielder Themba Zwane, who opened the scoresheet in Tshwane, knows what is at stake.
He said: “I think the second leg will be more mental than physical as Al Ahly will throw everything at us. We should be a little bit cautious and not get too excited.”
