Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are set for the second leg of the Caf Champions League semi-final against Al Ahly and Pyramids, respectively.
The initial matches played in South Africa ended goalless, which pave way for the Egyptian outfits to capitalise on the home-ground advantage and get the needed result to play in the final. Masandawana beat Esperance to advance while the Sea Robbers got past MC Alger in the last four.
Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye sees no hope for the Premier Soccer League duo making the last hurdle.
Sundowns won't score in Cairo
“It’s not going to be easy. Sundowns had the chance to wrap up the game at home. I think last week they were supposed to at least score one goal, to go there with the confidence, and they never created even so many chances, and that’s my biggest problem with them currently,” he told iDiski Times.
“The team that they’re playing against Al Ahly, a very experienced team, they know how to win this tournament. And I saw very different Al Ahly, because now they’re technically very good, closing spaces. The planning was very good from the coach, the coach of Al Ahly and his technical team.
“I see Sundowns are going to lose 1-0. The crowd will play a very major role. I know Sundowns they love to play big games, but this is a different Sundowns that we’re talking about. It’s not the Sundowns that we used to watch, with a very fluid football, with players understanding what the coach wants from them – I’m talking about coach Rulani or Pitso Mosimane – a different Sundowns,” he continued.
“Al Ahly can play with high intensity, well done to the coach. That’s a different Al Ahly. Usually, that team, they put their coach under pressure. Al Ahly are going to score one goal for me. I see them score; I don’t think Sundowns will score tomorrow.”
Pirates ‘have been caught and exposed'
“Pirates played ugly at Orlando Stadium; the fans came in numbers, well done to the fans. And remember, well done to them for going through to the semi-final. I never saw that they can go through to the semi-final,” Khanye continued.
“But it says, for me, they’ve got better attacking-minded players compared to other teams in Premiership. I think they are the best, best current attack team. They’ve got best, best players in terms of attack, exciting young as well. And Jose Rivero started well, he was playing those players according to their strength. And well done to them to for scoring even away, I’m talking about youngsters like [Mohau] Nkota and [Relebohile] Mofokeng, scoring away in the group stages.
“But now suddenly the coach has changed the second round of the season. I think psychologically, he doesn’t care anymore – he is leaving, he already made the statement in the media that he is leaving – he doesn’t care how he wins. You can’t win playing ugly five games, it has never happened in the world. You will get caught and you will be exposed.,” Khanye explained.
‘Pyramids run with purpose'
“Even the game they played at home against Pyramids, remember Pyramids are number one in Egypt, and they’ve got experienced players, and technically very good players, they don’t run unnecessarily. They run with purpose, and they know when, where and how to use the ball, and they understand the strength from one another.
“They didn’t just come to defend at Orlando Stadium. They came to Pirates for a game; it was a headache. They also have [Fiston] Mayele, the striker, who was always threatening, always finding spaces. A dynamic striker who bullied Pirates defence. Well done to [Nkosinathi] Sibisi, well done to this [Mbekezeli] Mbokazi, but it was very difficult to deal with him.
“I’m seeing Pirates losing 2-1, I think Fiston Mayele will score. Yes, Pirates will score, but they will lose 2-1.”
The game between Al Ahly and Sundowns will start at 18.00 hours SAT with Pyramids hosting Pirates two hours later.
