‘Sundowns like European team’ – Lupopo coach salutes PSL champions

Mamelodi Sundowns have been termed a “European team” following their positive start to the CAF Champions League group stages.

Sundowns brushed aside Congolese club St Eloi Lupopo with new signing Nuno Santos scoring twice and Marcelo Allende adding another one as they won 3-1 at home on Saturday.

The PSL champions, who reached last season’s final, were dominant in the contest with their quality showing all over and after the game, Lupopo assistant coach Yassine Salmi was full of praise for Miguel Cardoso’s team who he feels can easily compete with European sides.

What has Lupopo coach said about Sundowns?

“I don’t see a difference between Sundowns and teams in Europe,” said Salmi who was in awe of the star quality of the South African giants.

“It is very difficult to play against Sundowns, it is like 50 Brazilians and 50 Europeans so if CAF teams have to play Sundowns, then they have to pay attention because it is a big name,” he added.

Sundowns unleashed all their big hitters on Lupopo as they went in search of a win that will greatly boost their chances of finishing top of their group.

PSL champions went out guns blazing

Portuguese midfielders Santos and Miguel Reisinho, signed in the off-season, were the chief architects of Lupopo’s downfall, the latter bringing in a quality ball that beat the Congolese side’s defence and finished off well by the former.

Lupopo would draw level on the stroke of halftime through Wanet Kashala but Santos found Chilean Allende in the box for 2-1 after the hour mark before Brazilian forward Arthur Sales laid it on the plate for the Portuguese playmaker to head in his second of the game 13 minutes from time.

Sundowns will now prepare for a tricky trip to Algeria to take on Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger on Friday November 28 while Lupopo host Sudan’s Al-Hilal next weekend.