Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye believes both South African sides will be knocked out in the semi-final second legs of the CAF Champions League.
Both Sundowns and Pirates failed to take advantage at home, collecting goalless draws against Al Ahly and Pyramids, respectively.
However, they also didn’t concede an away goal and could make things very hard for their Egyptian hosts should they find the back of the net on Friday evening.
Khanye, though, believes Sundowns will not score and will go down to the defending champions in Cairo.
“It’s not going to be easy. Sundowns had the chance to wrap up the game at home,” he told this website.
“I think last week they were supposed to at least score one goal, to go there with the confidence, and they never created even so many chances and that’s my biggest problem with them currently.
“The team that they’re playing against Al Ahly, a very experienced team, they know how to win this tournament. And I saw very different Al Ahly, because now they’re technically very good, closing spaces. The planning was very good from the coach, the coach of Al Ahly and his technical team.
“I see Sundowns are going to lose 1-0. The crowd will play a very major role. I know Sundowns they love to play big games, but this is a different Sundowns that we’re talking about.
“It’s not the Sundowns that we used to watch, with a very fluid football, with players understanding what the coach want from them – I’m talking about coach Rulani or Pitso Mosimane – a different Sundowns…
“Al Ahly can play with high intensity, well done to the coach. That’s a different Al Ahly. Usually, that team, they put their coach under pressure.
“Al Ahly are going to score one goal for me. I see them score; I don’t think Sundowns will score tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, Khanye also sees Pirates – the only unbeaten team left in the competition – crash out at the hands of Pyramids.
“Pirates played ugly at Orlando Stadium,” he continued.
“The fans came in numbers, well done to the fans. And remember, well done to them for going through to the semi-final. I never saw that they can go through to the semi-final.
“But it says, for me, they’ve got better attacking-minded players compared to other teams in Premiership. I think they are the best, best current attack team.
“They’ve got best, best players in terms of attack, exciting young as well. And Jose Rivero started well, he was playing those players according to their strength. And well done to them to for scoring even away, I’m talking about youngsters like [Mohau] Nkota and [Relebohile] Mofokeng, scoring away in the group stages…
“But now suddenly the coach has changed the second round of the season. I think psychologically, he doesn’t care anymore – he is leaving, he already made the statement in the media that is leaving – he doesn’t care how he wins.
“You can’t win playing ugly five games, it has never happened in the world. You will get caught and you will be exposed.
“Even the game they played at home against Pyramids, remember Pyramids are number one in Egypt, and they’ve got experienced players, and technically very good players, they don’t run unnecessarily.
“They run with purpose, and they know when, where and how to use the ball, and they understand the strength from one another.
“They didn’t just come to defend at Orlando Stadium. They came to Pirates for a game; it was a headache. They also have [Fiston] Mayele, the striker, who was always threatening, always finding spaces. A dynamic striker who bullied Pirates defence. Well done to [Nkosinathi] Sibisi, well done to this [Mbekezeli] Mbokazi but it was very difficult to deal with him.
“I’m seeing Pirates losing 2-1, I think Mayele will score. Yes, Pirates will score but they will lose 2-1.”
Sundowns’ game at Al Ahly kicks off at 18:00 (SAST), while Pyramids host Pirates at 20:00.
