Mamelodi Sundowns assistant coach Steve Komphela is confident the squad has the quality and character to win the CAF Champions League in Cairo.
Sundowns conceded a 94th minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Egyptian Premier League side Pyramids which was deflating for the squad and fans as they were seconds away from taking a lead and clean sheet to Cairo this week.
However, Walid El-Karti’s last second effort was a sucker punch and an away goal that outweighs Lucas Ribeiro Costa’s strike that looked to be handing the 2016 champions an advantage.
“It’s a draw, we’re in a final of the Champions League and you know it’s always important not to concede at home, but it’s happened, we cannot regret, we must look forward, go to Egypt and try and get goals, also acknowledging the strength of the opponent,” he said.
“But Sundowns is equally a helluva good team, [the late goal] will deflate you but champions are born out of such tragedies, you just need to show resilience and mental strength because if you drown yourself in that sorrow, you won’t rise.
“So, it’s important to say ‘okay, it happened but did I lose, or did I learn?’ So, the lessons we picked up here should take us forward and we know they have problem as well, it’s a draw, we shared… as much as they scored away, we have to go to Cairo and make life difficult for them.”
Komphela admits Pyramids – who are chasing three trophies in the space of seven days with the league, Champions League and Egypt Cup have shown their pedigree domestically and continentally this season with an impressive squad of players.
“Pyramids is a good team and they also have a good backing, you don’t reach CAF Champions League by fluke, these guys come here, we saw their matches they played, they are impeccable in their domestic league,” he said.
“They have a lot of good players, but Sundowns is equally a good team, so we have to go to Cairo knowing [what to expect] but we have to get better.”
The two sides meet again on Sunday evening at 30 June Stadium for the decider of Africa’s elite club competition (19h00).
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