Pitso Mosimane says Al Ahly have hope again after edging Al-Merrikh in a five-goal thriller in the CAF Champions League on Saturday evening.
Ahly looked to be cruising to a routine victory after storming into a two-goal lead through Mohamed Sherif but the Sudanese giants fought back to level matters with goals on either side of the break.
However, The Red Devils secured a vital three points as Amr El-Solia forced an own goal from Mustafa Karshoum as they moved back into second place in Group A.
“We have to give respect to Merrikh, they are not an easy team. If you are surprised about how they got a point against Mamelodi Sundowns, they nearly got a point against us,” Mosimane said in the post-match press conference.
“On the positive side, I’ve never seen my team play so well, okay against Hilal in the Club World Cup we played well in the first ten minutes.
“We were very good in the first 15 minutes where you would think two or more goals would come later. But that was not the point, we didn’t get that. What was important is to get three points at home – we got that.
“The Champions League group stage is exactly like this, I remember last year we were feeling like this against Vita, we drew against Vita. Look they could not stop us from playing, we were getting into situations where we were dangerous and they could not deal with our tactics.”
Mosimane once again bemoaned their decision making in the final third after creating a host of chances in the opening half that could have put the game to bed.
“It’s just the last pass, the finishing, the same as Sundowns, the same story if you don’t kill the game… Alhamdulillah, we scored two goals in the first half,” he continued.
“If you don’t kill the game you will always have a problem, we had a problem, we must be honest, it wasn’t easy. Football teaches you lessons, against Pharco we didn’t create as many chances as we did tonight or against Sundowns but we scored four goals.
“Look it’s football, you have to accept, what is important is that we got three points and we have hope now. Lastly, the third time in a row, VAR, we need it, it’s very difficult for the referees, they need help.”
