TotalEnergies CAF Champions League: What the coaches and players had to say before match day
The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League enters the exciting group stage phase this weekend, with 16 of Africa’s top sides preparing to kick off their group stage phase following an intense preliminary phase.
Ahead of Match Day 01 of the group stage, this is what some of the coaches and players had to say.
The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League enters the exciting group stage phase this weekend, with 16 of Africa’s top sides preparing to kick off their group stage phase following an intense preliminary phase.
Ahead of Match Day 01 of the group stage, this is what some of the coaches and players had to say.
Miguel Cardoso – Mamelodi Sundowns Coach
“First match of the Group Stage, obviously every match will have a story, but we have to write the right one on this one. First home match, a good start is important, so we will work hard and we've been working very hard since we finished the last match towards arriving tomorrow on the best conditions, on the best moment possible”
“Most of all, we must understand how to play against this team. It has its particularities, its way of playing, its own characteristics, so that we understand how to exploit their less strong things and how to avoid that they can aggress us with the things that they have as more positive.”
“We remember very well what happened last year on the first game of the group stage where Mamelodi Sundowns was not able to beat Maniema at home. And from there, how that hunted a little bit the team throughout all the group stage.”
Yassine Salmi – Saint Elois Lupopo Assistant Coach
“They are one of the biggest teams in Africa. They have earned this title by lifting the title and reaching the final last season. We have to give them the respect but not fear them. This is a competitive tournament and every team that is here is equally competitive. We have worked hard to be here and will give it our best against Sundowns and all other teams”
Pedro Goncalves – Young Africans Coach
“Tomorrow is the first match in the group. I think everybody thinks that is the Group of death with four strongest teams in Africa. With three of them already Champions. We have the desire to one day become champions also.
“AS FAR is a strong club with a team that has developed a lot in the last two seasons. , I know very well the coach and he worked one year developing the team. They have a very balanced team in all centres but we also intend to continue our changes and our full moments and we believe tomorrow, with our supporters here in Zanzibar we will be able to conquer tomorrow.”
Alexandre Santos – AS FAR Coach
“We are a very delighted to be here and prepare for the first game, our first game of stage group. Our expectation is a very difficult game because every time in Champions League it’s the best teams of Africa and every game is very difficult. Tomorrow we will face a very strong team, the best team of Tanzania in the last few years.”
“The weather will be difficult for our players to adapt to but it's what it is, it is football and we have to go forward and play the best we can. Our best way to face young African is to play better than them and fight more than them.”
Yunos Abdelhamid – AS FAR Player
“Each first game of the group is very important for us and for Young Africans so it’s important to be better. Our ambition is do better than we did last season. We have a tough group of four good teams and each game will be difficult as we start with the big team of Tanzania tomorrow.”
“We have prepared good and trained good and we hope to start well in this competition.”