Mamelodi Sundowns utility player Thapelo Morena expects a hostile yet good crowd when they meet Esperance in the CAF Champions League semifinal first-leg clash on Saturday.
Sundowns landed in Tunisia on Wednesday and received a warm welcome, as coach Rulani Mokwena was bestowed with a bouquet of flowers upon their arrival.
Esperance host Sundowns at Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in Tunisia. The game will get under way at 9pm SA time.
Since Pitso Mosimane was the Brazilians’ coach in 2017, this will be the first Champions League match between Sundowns and the Tunisian giants.
They met in the group stages, where the Blood and Gold beat Masandawana 2-1 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, following their goalless draw in the reverse fixture.
In the six matches between them, Sundowns have only managed one win, while Esperance have won two games, with the other three encounters ending in draws.
Hostile and passionate fans
With 27 500 spectators expected to fill up the stadium, Morena reminisced about the last time he came on from the bench against Esperance, saying that the Olympic Stadium crowd is one of the best he has ever played in front of.
“The Esperance supporters are one of the best that I have ever played in front of. It’s not my first time in Tunisia and playing against Esperance,” Morena told Sundowns media.
“The last time we were here, things didn’t go the way we wanted them to, but I think this time will be way better than the last time.
“Overall, I think there will be a great atmosphere — we expect to see the crackers that are going to be used against us by the crowd in the stadium.
“We have played under such conditions before, but our mindset now is a bit different, especially in the Champions League, because we know when you play away how hostile and passionate their supporters can be.
“We are going to just play our normal football and do our best.”
