Exclusive: Jethro Mohlala on Why Mamelodi Sundowns Can Rely on Themba Zwane
- Retired Mamelodi Sundowns defender, Mohlala, explores the South Africans’ chances of beating Al Ahly on Saturday afternoon and Zwane’s impact
- Mohlala is confident Zwane’s return from injury will boost Sundowns against the Egyptians, Ahly, on Saturday
- Sundowns are at home to AlAhly as they look to win and reach the CAF Champions League semi-finals and Mohlala hopes Zwane will redeem the hopes of the hosts
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Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Jethro Mohlala says the reigning Premier Soccer League champions have to play their normal game against Al Ahly.
The Brazilians are at home this weekend to welcome their Egyptian counterparts but they have to reverse a 2-0 loss they suffered in Cairo last weekend.
Sundowns have to score three goals and not concede for them to realise the dream of making it to the semi-finals. However, the former left-back says the Chloorkop-based club has never rallied from a 2-0 lead to bag a win in the club continental tournament.
Also known as ‘Lovers’, Mohlala spoke exclusively to Briefly News, saying the team should just play their normal game and forget about the result in Cairo.
Source: Twitter
Mohlala said to Briefly News:
“I am concerned because Sundowns has never come from behind to win a match in the CAF Champions League, that’s my concern at the moment. It’s either they play a draw or they lose but I am speaking as a fan of the club. Losing 2-0 in Cairo made things very difficult for Sundowns.
“However, the team has the quality, experience and the technical team has fully prepared for this one.”
Coach Manqoba Mngqithi is set to have a full squad considering the return of creative midfielder Themba Zwane.
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Mohlala didn’t mince his words on Mshishi’s influence:
“Themba Zwane is back and he will definitely make an impact on this one. I know he can carry the team on his shoulders, but it’s not only him that can make things happen for the team.
“Look, the likes of (Hlompho) Kekana must be introduced for this game. That’s one player that can also make things happen because of his experience and leadership skills.
“I can’t really say they must go all out and attack or sit back, but they must their normal game and try to open up Ahly. They should have scored one goal away from home, but Ahly is not really difficult compared to the one that featured the likes of (Mohamed) Aboutrika and others.”
Coming back to the actual match and the chances of the DStv Premiership log leaders, the former Wits University defender hopes the players can rise to the occasion against the former coach, Pitso Mosimane. He continued:
“Sundowns can win this one but the chances are really not there for me to say confidently. I hope they will rise to the occasion and win this game. Losing it will be a blow for the ambitions to bag the second star.
“There is pressure to get the goals as quickly as possible but they should take the last weekend’s result out of the window and just push to for a win, it’s a new game and the fans are fully behind the team.”
Meanwhile, Briefly News reported that coach Mngqithi said they were unfortunate to lose the match against Al Ahly because his side was the better team.
The Brazilians suffered a 2-0 loss against the Red Devils, who are coached by former Sundowns boss Pitso Mosimane.
Although the second encounter could still go either way, Sundowns will have to be clinical upfront at Lucas Moripe Stadium for them to reach the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.
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Source: Briefly News
