Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies coach Jerry Tshabalala has explained how the club can emulate Banyana Banyana and be a back-to-back winner in the CAF Women’s Champions League final against ASFAR on Sunday (13 November 2022).
In July, South Africa stunned Morocco to celebrate their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title at Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat – the same feat the South African club is hoping to emulate in a bid for a consecutive title win on the same ground.
The 45-year-old backs his side to overcome the pressure from local supporters to inflict a double heartbreak on the hosts.
“ASFAR will have supporters cheering them, basically, for us as a team, we need to be very very strong in terms of the mental aspect of the game and I think it is a good omen for us,” Tshabalala said during the press conference.
“We played in Egypt where our boys won, and the first edition was also in Egypt we won it. Luckily enough Banyana Banyana has done it against more or less the same team because 12 players from ASFAR were representing Morroco. So, it is on us [on Sunday] to see that we replicate what our national team [Banyana Banyana] did. I strongly believe we will pull this one through.”
The Cup holders had defeated two of this year’s semi-finalists in Bayelsa Queens and Simba Queens and the 42-year-old is now eager to guide his side past the Moroccans to extend their unbeaten streak in the competition.
“I know a lot about ASFAR and when you look at the team they came into this tournament without some quality players but they show a lot of character and went all the way to the finals,” Tshabalala continued.
“It tells you that it is a very good side, that is capable of many things. A side that knows the game knows what to expect, you’ve noticed a game whereby, when they are one goal down and came back to win. It says a lot about them. We got to be very conscious in terms of how we approach the game. We once played against each other in the tournament’s group stage last year. A very good side and very tactical, very good in terms of playing from the back, got a lot of skilful players, It’s going to be an interesting final.”
In the same vein, vice-captain Karabo Makhurubetshi expects a difficult final match against ASFAR but she is confident her side can put on their best performance and upset the hosts.
“We are pleased to play in the finals. It won’t be an easy game but we will fight. This final comes with a lot of pressure, but we are not going to pressurise ourselves,” said the 23-year-old defender.
“We all going to focus on the game, we know what we are here for and we are just here to achieve that one goal we are here for and we are going to win. We’ve played with supporters before, we also have supporters back home, supporting us. We are used to people cheering at us and winning sometimes depending on the moment of the game, but we can handle that pressure and do our best.”
Source: CAFOnline.com
