‘Yes, we’re disappointed with the result. I mean it’s our first final in so many years and we expected to win,’ said Maema.
The disappointment was visible on the faces of Mamelodi Sundowns players as they left Loftus Versfeld following a frustrating 1-1 draw against Pyramids FC in the first leg of the CAF Champions League. Only Denis Onyango, Lucas Ribeiro, and Neo Maema stopped to speak in the mixed zone that was designated for the media.
Sundowns’ Maema – ‘We expected to win’
Ribeiro had put the Brazilians ahead early in the second half, but Walid El Karti levelled the score deep into stoppage time. Maema couldn’t hide his frustration at the missed chance of taking the narrow advantage into next Sunday’s return leg in Egypt.
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“Yes, we’re disappointed with the result. I mean it’s our first final in so many years and we expected to win,” said Maema, who replaced Arthur Sales with 12 minutes left to play.
“We were playing at home and we wanted the advantage but it’s unfortunate. This is a final and I feel like we just need to go and regroup, make sure that we have in ourselves to support each other because it’s only a game of 90 minutes so we have to go and play for our lives.
“We’re obviously disappointed but we also know that there’s still another game to play for so we can only do our best to make sure that we get the results. Mistakes happen and we know that they are a team that plays with crosses and yes, it’s just a disappointing result.”
Meanwhile, Ribeiro urged his teammates to regroup and complete the job away from home. The influential midfielder also acknowledged the challenges of competing in the Champions League.
‘We have to stay strong’
“I’m very happy with the team today because we fought together and I’m happy I scored the goal but the job is not finished,” Ribeiro added.
“We will go to that side in Egypt and finish it on that side. I’m very happy. It’s difficult to concede the goal in the last minute but for me this is football.
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“Every game in the Champions League is very difficult because tactically you don’t have the space to play but in the second game, we have to stay strong and go that side to be champions.”
