Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane praised his charges for the good control of the game in the 1-1 draw with KCCA at Phillip Omondi stadium, Lugogo.
The African champions carried slim lead coming into the game but a first half goal from Geoffrey Sserunkuma nearly ejected the defending champions before substitute Anthony Laffor equaliser with ten minutes to time sealed a group stage spot.
“As I said earlier KCCA is a good side,” he told the post-match press conference. “But when you decide to play the long ball you are making it easy for us,” added Mosimane.
We kept the belief and I felt we would get that one chance. We got it and scored. Credit to the boys for they controlled the game so well.
An early injury to Wayne Arendse saw him join causalities Sibusizo Vilakazi, Denis Onyango and Khama Billiat who all missed the encounter but the African coach of the year couldn’t use this as an excuse for failing to finish off the game.
I am not one to make excuses. There are injuries in football – the reason we make substitutions and also register over 28 players. I knew the players here would make the job and they did.
Mosimane also hit at Ugandans who had little or no respect for the Brazilians reminding them.
We are not African champions by accident. We deserve some respect and we just showed class here by controlling the game.
Sundowns now awaits the group stages draw as they intend to defend their crown won last year by beating Zamalek 3-1 on aggregate in the finals.
