Young Africans SC winger Mahlatsi Makudubela says Mamelodi Sundowns commands major respect in Tanzania but if they make any mistakes they will look to punish them in Dar es Salaam this weekend.
The 34-year-old is coming full circle in his career as he looks set to face his former development club in the 1st leg CAF Champions League quarter-final on Saturday.
Led by former Sundowns title-winning coach Miguel Gamondi, they are one of the most in-form teams on the continent and en route to winning another league title, as is Sundowns.
While Masandawana were perhaps the one team most would like to have avoided in the last eight, ‘Skudu’ feels they have prepared well and there’s a chance it will be a game won on mistakes.
“Well look, for a lack of a better word, let’s just say they are respected, Mamelodi Sundowns is respected, yes okay we respect all opponents we play, but the respect of Mamelodi Sundowns is RESPECT, with big letters,” he said in an online interview with SAFJA on Thursday afternoon.
“We’ve seen what they can do, we don’t just go there and say ah, let’s have a go at them, you have to be tactical, we’ve done our studies, they’ve done their studies also, and we know their weak points, we know where their strengths are – we see it as teammates.
“We know where there will be difficulties, and you know as you said pound to pound, we’ll be player to player, we know the most influential players in their attack, their vulnerabilities in defence, we’ve discussed those things.
“You’re right when you say Mamelodi Sundowns is a team we’ll say we can’t beat 5-0 but if that opportunity comes, why not? You know. It’s football, it’s a game of mistakes and I think this type of game will be decided on mistakes.”
The two sides meet on Saturday evening at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium at 20h00.
