Michaelson Ntokozo Gumede

By Ntokozo Gumede

Journalist


Sundowns forward targets goal fest at Al Ahly

An ideal result for Sundowns would be three unanswered goals, Mahlambi believes.


Having played at Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Phakamani Mahlambi surely has some inside information on their opponents for tomorrow afternoon’s Caf Champions League quarterfinal at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

If Pitso Mosimane unleashes the 21-year against his former team, and he gets on the score sheet, he said he not observe the unwritten rule of not celebrating a goal against former teams.

And that is not because he holds any grudges against the North African giants who released him after spending a year with them.

“It is going to be great pleasure for me to prove myself against them but it is not like I want revenge. It is about playing the game and qualifying for the semifinals. For me to score against them it would be a bonus but the most important thing is to win the game,” said Mahlambi.

READ: Sundowns players deserve to be rewarded – Kekana

While this has be regarded as a tough draw for Masandawana as they go up against record holders, who are eager to add to their eight titles, Mahlambi has downplayed the magnitude of the match, saying Ahly are no different to any other opponent.

“It is just a normal game like any other game that we play here in the league, there is nothing new, they are opponents like any other team. We need to give them respect but not too much of it, we need to focus on our side and hopefully we can get the results. They are a team that we can manage and win and go through to the semifinals.

“They are a team that play the English brand of football and they are tactically sound. They have a good squad and a good coach. They are here to fight but we will wait with our weapons and get ready for battle,” he added.

An ideal result for Sundowns would be three unanswered goals, Mahlambi believes.

“If we can get three goals we can be in a good space because it is difficult to play those North African teams in their stadiums. Three goals for us here at home will be good so that when we get there we get one or two.”

“We will score three! It is possible with the quality of squad that we have,” added a confident Mahlambi.

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