‘It made us confused’ – Jayden Adams reveals how Lupopo outwitted Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams admits they were outthought by St Eloi Lupopo in the first half of their CAF Champions League clash in Lubumbashi on Sunday.

Sundowns were put to the sword by a high pressing Lupopo team who forced them into many turnovers in possession and scored from one such opportunity after 19 minutes in the match that ended 1-1.

With Miguel Cardoso’s team playing a high defensive line, the Congolese side found themselves behind their backline quite often and should have scored more were it not for some poor decision-making and Ronwen Williams’ saves.

How did Lupopo outfox Sundowns?

Adams concedes Lupopo surprised them with the way they set up but is glad that the technical team noticed where the problem was and steadied the ship after the break.

“It was a very intensive game, the first half we kept the ball well but they played with four in the midfield and it made us confused but as the game went on, the coaches gave us another game plan and it worked,” he told the club’s media.

“Second half we came up controlling the game. I think they got tired a bit and it was a lot of spaces and we profited from them.”

Adams on thought process prior to his goal

Adams was the man who scored the equaliser, heading home beautifully from the back post in the 55^th minute and he says it is something new that he was trying but is thankful that it came off when it mattered most.

“I used to score those goals but normally near post but I told Grant [Kekana] now I am going to go back post and the ball ended there so I scored,” he said of the moments leading to his goal.

The draw in Lubumbashi left Sundowns in a tight spot as they now must beat Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger in their final match on Saturday to seal their place in the quarter-final.