Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has predicted teams he feels will be in the CAF Champions League semi-finals.
However, the Sundowns coach didn’t even mention Orlando Pirates who got their group stage campaign off to a flying start.
Pirates beat CR Belouizdad 2-1 in their opening group stage match while Sundowns were held to a 0-0 draw by AS Maniema Union.
According to Mngqithi, it is very important for Sundowns, Al Ahly and Esperance to be in the CAF Champions League semi-finals.
And that’s because the three clubs – Sundowns, Al Ahly and Esperance – alongside Wydad Athletic Club, will take part in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
Mngqithi said reaching the semi-finals will help the three teams prepare for the said showpiece.
SUNDOWNS COACH SNUBS PIRATES FOR CAFCL SEMIS SPOT
“You will have those teams in the last four,” said Mngqithi as per iDiski Times.
“I think it’s very important [for the three teams to do well to prepare for the Club World Cup], it’s what we have been planning and preparing for, with all the rotations that one has done to try and make sure we arrive at this stage without a heavy load on the legs.
“I think where we are now, we were just unfortunate with the FIFA break and then the final immediately after – that caused a bit of chaos for the physiological readiness of the players.”
“But I do believe the players aren’t loaded on their legs, they are fresh enough and I do believe we are now at a stage where we are getting closer and closer to our combinations that one wanted to start maybe firing at the right time, not firing too early and creating problems with people already knowing what’s likely to happen,” added Mngqithi.
WHICH FOUR TEAMS WILL MAKE THE TOP 4?
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