AS Maniema Union coach Papy Kimoto has now revealed he analyzed Mamelodi Sundowns in their matches against Kaizer Chiefs in the domestic competitions.
Masandawana have already played the Glamour Boys twice this season in competitive outings. The Brazilians claimed a 2-1 win in the Premier Soccer League before another huge 4-0 victory in the Carling Knockout quarter-final outing. Both matches were staged at the FNB Stadium.
On Tuesday, Sundowns welcomed the Congolese side at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Group B's Caf Champions League outing.
Despite coming into the match as favourites, the defending champions of the Premier Soccer League failed to deliver and the game eventually ended goalless.
How Kaizer Chiefs inspired Maniema to great performance
“[We weren’t surprised how Sundowns played], we made them play the way they played because we had more defensive football, we cannot play or try to play a possession game with Sundowns, they are better at that,” Kimoto told the media.
“I saw some games against Kaizer Chiefs in the beginning of the league, they played the same way and I will say they played very well, we made them play that way of kind of attacking without not really getting to us because of having more defenders.
“I wouldn’t say that it was unlike Sundowns since I didn’t watch Sundowns last year in the Champions League, I cannot compare the two – so you have to adapt when the opposition is better than you.
“I’m happy with the draw, it’s more than enough for us.”
Sundowns will play Raja Casablanca in the second game of the group as Maniema host AS FAR Rabat.
