Big job for Brazilians’ Bangaly
SOUMAHORO Bangaly, who turns like an 18-wheel truck, with the slow speed to match, will have to play the game of his life tomorrow if Mamelodi Sundowns are to be African champions.
The burly Ivorian defender is likely to replace the suspended Wayne Arendse at centreback in the second leg of the African Champions League final at Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria against Zamalek (kick-off 8.30pm).
“Bangaly played 90 minutes against Zamalek (in the group stage at Lucas Moripe Stadium in July) and he came out with flying colours,” said Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane.
“They didn’t score (in the 1-0 win). Bangaly played and he marked (Basem) Morsy. I told him that he must get the footage of that game loaded on his tablet and see himself. That will be a motivational thing for him.”
Sundowns’ defence will be put to the test by Zamalek, who are looking to overturn the 3-0 defeat they suffered in the first leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium last Saturday.
Thabo Nthethe’s leadership will be the key in guiding Bangaly and organising a back four that has been consistent in personnel.
Any change will come with some teething problems, which will be compounded by the electrifying atmosphere that the Zamalek fans will create in the stadium, which will make it hard to communicate.
Hlompho Kekana will provide cover for the central defence pairing by drifting back from time to time from his central midfield position. But that doesn’t mean Sundowns will sit back.
“We went to Egypt in the group stage, we never parked the bus,” Mosimane said.
“We went to Setif (in Algeria to play ES Setif), we never parked the bus. Why should we park the bus now? No, man. Play. Maybe if we go through and we have to play Real Madrid, because it’s a dream, in the Fifa Club World Cup, maybe we can park the bus there. Not now.”
Bangaly’s strength will come in handy. He bullies opponents with his size and height. He does that well when Sundowns are attacking set pieces, eliminating a number of players, which provides space for his teammates to benefit from. His lack of speed might be a challenge for him against a fast Zamalek attack. But Nthethe’s intelligence should help Sundowns handle that danger.
The Brazilians are close to being African champions for the first time in their history. Their attack put them in a favourable position with the three goals that they scored in the first leg. The defence has to carry them to the finish line, with continental glory just 90 minutes away.
Those 90 minutes will be an emotional roller-coaster in a country from where only three clubs have returned with the ultimate prize.
Egypt has hosted the second leg of the premier club competition on the continent 11 times.
Brazilians assistant coach Manqoba Mngqithi stayed behind with Bangaly in Sundowns’ last training session on Wednesday just before Sport and Recreation Minister, Fikile Mbalula, wished the club well on their quest for continental glory.
Mngqithi worked with Bangaly on his timing and positioning because he is clumsy with his tackles at times. The 25-year-old defender is yet to fully settle at the Brazilians. A good performance tomorrow will endear him to the club.