Zamalek is beatable: Kekana

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By Malose Wa Ga Lamola  

The Absa Premiership champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, is set to lock horns with the Egyptian giants Zamalek in a crunch Caf Champions League Group B match in Cairo on Sunday.

Kick-Off is set for 19:00 (South African time)

The Brazilians is well aware that a positive result in Egypt will edge them closer to securing a semifinal spot in the continental prestigious competition.

The Egyptian side has won the Champions League five times and currently shares the top spot in the group stages with the South African champions after both sides earned victories against the other team in their group‚ Enyimba from Nigeria.

“They are very experienced in this tournament‚ but we have the belief that they are beatable and we can do well against them‚” Downs’ midfielder anchor Hlompho Kekana said.
Sundowns need a victory from the Petro Sport Stadium on Sunday night‚ then a spot in the semis will be a certainty for the Brazilians.

As much as the side realises that they can “wrap it up” this weekend‚ they are going into the game with some caution.

“It's good to say that we can wrap it up on Sunday‚ but we still need to do the work first‚” Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane said.

“Our confidence says that it is possible‚ it's doable‚ but you have got to understand that we are playing a strong team – the mighty Zamalek. It is not going to be easy.

“If we were playing at home‚ then I would be speaking the way I was speaking before the Enyimba game and say that we have to wrap it up.

“The good thing is that we broke the ice with the North African sides. We won in Setif (against ES Setif). But we have got to respect and tread carefully‚ and make sure that we get a result. We will go for the three points‚ but if we get one‚ that won't be bad.”

Kekana believes that his side are going into the match as underdogs‚ but is certain his teammates will hold their own‚ with their main aim being not conceding a goal in Cairo.

“We know that it is very important to get points away. As much as we are going there as underdogs‚ against a team that has been in this tournament for a long time‚ they are experienced enough to win matches‚” said Kekana.
“So we just want to go there and try not to concede. Hopefully if we get out chances we will take them.”
The return leg of this two-legged encounter will be played in Pretoria on the 27th of August.

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