Sundowns, Petro set for round two

by Staff Reporter

Friday Apr 22, 2022. 16:00

Mamelodi Sundowns and Petro de Luanda will battle for a spot in the final four of the CAF Champions League when they meet in the return leg of their quarterfinal tie at FNB Stadium on Saturday evening, kick-off at 18:00 CAT.

The first leg in the Angolan capital last Saturday ended 2-1 in favour of Petro. Sundowns claimed an early lead through Lyle Lakay, but the hosts stormed back to take victory thanks to strikes from Tiago Azulao and Yano.

The Brazilians had a second goal controversially disallowed via VAR, but they are confident that they can win the return game and advance into the final four of the premier club competition in Africa.

“We were a bit unfortunate with the goal that was disallowed through VAR but we are OK to go to Johannesburg with a 2-1 scoreline and we take the away goal. We can definitely score and I think Petro also know there is a goal in [Johannesburg],” co-coach Rulani Mokwena said.

“I am reminded of something Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp once said to me when I visited Melwood [Liverpool’s previous training grounds], and I never thought I would use it because I am a coach who wants to win every single match.

“In football you either win, lose or draw and Klopp said to me if you want to succeed in football, lose the right matches. I think we lost the right match because it doesn’t get us out of the competition and we still have a chance to correct the tie.”

Petro coach Alexandre Santos, meanwhile, wants his side to maintain the composure and style of play they demonstrated in the first leg.

“[We need to be] very balanced offensively and defensively because when it comes to the quarterfinals of the Champions League against opponents like this, we have to prepare fundamentally from the point of view of the ability to not to make mistakes and strategically, be able to nullify the strengths of Sundowns which are several,” said the Portuguese tactician.

Referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa of Ethiopia will take charge of the match at FNB Stadium. The aggregate winners will face either CR Belouizdad or Wydad Casablanca in the semifinals.