WE ARE READY: Mamelodi Sundowns’ team.
Photo by
Themba Makofane
ZAMALEK SUPPORTERS are known for bad behaviour and gamesmanship. But this week they took it to another level.MAMELODI SUNDOWNS PLAYERS HAVE BEEN RECEIVING DEATH
THREATS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.The death threats were confirmed yesterday by Sundowns head coach
Pitso Mosimane and star midfielder Teko Modise before the squad jetted out of OR
Tambo Airport last night ahead of the second leg of the final scheduled for
the Borg el-Arab Stadium, Alexandria in Egypt, on Sunday at 8pm. The threat on social media read: “You have two choices, death or
lose . . . in Cairo you have no other
choices.” “Yes, all the players received death threats from Zamalek
supporters this week,” said Mosimane. “They posted them on Instagram, Twitter
and Facebook.” But Mamelodi Sundowns players have laughed off death threats from
the hot-headed Zamalek supporters. “The way the players were laughing about them at training today
shows me the players are not too worried,” said Mosimane. “We simply need to focus on winning the trophy.” Mosimane said he expected Zamalek fans to try and unsettle the
Mzansi champions. “We’ve been there before and we know what to expect,” said
Mosimane. “It will be hostile for sure and they will be shining lasers in my
players’ faces. But we can handle the pressure. So let’s go for it.” Sundowns stunned Zamalek, the five-time African champions, with a
3-0 win in the first leg of their Caf Champions League final played at a packed
Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville last Saturday. Mosimane’s side have beaten Zamalek three times in the competition,
winning 2-1 in Egypt and 1-0 at their Atteridgeville stronghold during the group
stages of the competition. Mosimane said they have studied Zamalek and their fans: “We’ve done
our video analysis. We’ve also looked at the sort of pressure the referee can
expect from the crowd and Zamalek players. I’m not saying for a moment there
will be any cheating, but we are simply doing our homework and leaving nothing
to chance.” Downs skipper Hlompho Kekana said they are not going to be
intimidated by the crowd. “We know they will try and upset us and attempt to throw us off our
game. We are ready. I’ve played in Egypt before with Bafana Bafana and know all
about the crowd and their lasers. We’ve beaten them in Egypt recently and the
3-0 win last weekend is a massive boost. We simply want to focus on our game.
It’s 11 versus 11 on the pitch.” Sundowns media officer Thulani Thuswa said he hoped that the
threats would be dealt with by officials in that
country.
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