Zoom  

TP Mazembe coach Lamine N’Diaye and his FUS Rabat counterpart, Houcine Amouta have both expressed optimism in the abilities of their respective teams ahead of Saturday’s Orange CAF Super Cup clash in Lubumbashi.

Mazembe, winners of last year’s Orange CAF Champions League will host their Moroccan guests at the Stade de la Kenya in the one-off match that herald the 2011 season of continental club football.

Addressing a press conference on the eve of the clash, N’Diaye reckons a tough outing against FUS Rabat who stunned all to win the Orange CAF Confederation Cup last year, their quest to successfully defend the title.

“I respect this team very much. They are here for a reason and I expect a tough outing,” said the Senegalese-born trainer.

The Mazembe coach is keeping the identities of his team close to his chest saying “I will not give out the team until tomorrow (Saturday).”

N’Diaye has also rebuffed claims of a leaking defence in the wake of his team’s performance in the final match of the FIFA Club World Cup, where they lost 0-3 to eventual winners Internationale Milano of Italy.

“The competition was for elite clubs and my team faced teams from Brazil, Argentina on our way to the final. The goals conceded in the final do not mean we have a weak defence and we will prove our doubters wrong.”

On his part, Amouta said “I am here without three key players against a team of the caliber of TP Mazembe. However, it is time for us to regain our confidence.”

Mazembe beat Stade Malien of Mali 2-0 in last year’s Orange Super Cup.