Important information regarding cookies
By using this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
ES Tunis ready to ‘finish the job’ against Downs
ES Tunis player Mohamed Ben Ali (C) fights for the ball with Sundowns players Bathusi Jurry Aubaas (L) and Gomolemo Grant Kekana (R) during their CAF Champions League semi-final first leg match match between ES Tunis and Sundowns from South Africa at Rades stadium in Tunis, Tunisia, 20 April 2024. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
Thursday Apr 25, 2024. 11:16
As one of the most keenly anticipated fixtures on the African continent this week, Mamelodi Sundowns will host Espérance Sportive de Tunis at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night as the African giants look to qualify for the CAF Champions League final.
ES Tunis headed to South Africa with a slender 1-0 aggregate lead, as Yan Sasse added his name to the scoresheet in the 41st minute at Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in the first leg.
Speaking ahead of the tie, Esperance midfielder Oussema Bouguerra has urged his side to finish the job and once again qualify for the final of Africa’s premium club competition.
“We did well in the first leg in Tunisia and we are here to finish the job. Hopefully we will win and qualify for the final,” said Bouguerra.
“We know this Sundowns team very well but we also know that we can win here because we have a tradition in this competition and we are here to win the match. When you play for a big team like Esperance, you know that you are going to play in these matches against other top clubs and you are expected to win.”
As for coach Rulani Mokwena, the Downs mentor took the philosophical approach in his pre-match press conference and urged the club’s supporters to be patient on their journey to glory on the African continent.
Following the first-leg, Mokwena praised his side’s ability to pressure ES Tunis in their own half and will now look to overturn the 1-0 aggregate scoreline.
“I’ve got a four-year contract here, and all I am asking for from the Sundowns fans – give me four years to try to win and win the Champions League, I am not asking for eight years,” Mokwena said.
“It is going to happen, I am 100% sure it is going to happen. Is it going to be easy? Is it going to be win [after win] all the time? No. Is it not going to be pretty football all the time? No, but we will get there.”
“Esperance are a good side and I think they are well-coached, but I also thing Sundowns are a good side, they are a team that is well-coached and also does a lot of very good things on the pitch. Now it is to focus and try to overturn the result and we will do everything that we can.”
COMMENTS
Sign in to comment