Daunting task for Downs in Addis Ababa
Defending African champions Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking to pave the way for the knockout of the Caf Champions League when they take on Ethiopians Saint George in a Group C match.
Motjeka Madisha of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates a goal with teammates during the Absa Premiership match between Golden Arrows and Mamelodi Sundowns at the Princess Magogo Stadium. (Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix)
Downs and Saint George are level on five points in the group, however, the defending champions occupy second spot due to a better goal difference to that of the Ethiopian team, while Esperance top the group with eight points and AS Vita are at the bottom with three points after five rounds of matches.
Ahead of the game at the Addis Ababa Stadium on Saturday, the Pretoria side coach, Pitso Mosimane, said his team and Esperance were both under pressure to keep their spots at the top.
“You’ve got to be clever and see the bigger picture, and progress slowly until the six games finish. When the sixth game is finished, if you are number one it would be better, but even if you are number two you need to move on slowly,” said the Downs coach.
“There’s a lot of pressure on both of us [Sundowns and Esperance]. We are going to Addis, which is a bit difficult, but also Esperance is going to Kinshasha, which is not easy.”
“We’ll see how it goes, but the best thing is, after the match in Addis, we need to remain [at least] number two.”
