Congo’s AS Simba coach Daoula Lupembe has pinpointed what he thinks will decide this weekend’s game against Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa.
The Linafoot league side will travel to Johannesburg for a CAF Confederation Cup rematch against Amakhosi. There is all to play for in the second preliminary round match, as the first leg ended goalless in Lubumbashi last Saturday.
During the first leg, the Congolese side was determined to cause an upset. Lupembe’s side had garnered support from TP Mazembe fans to create an intimidating atmosphere for the Betway Premiership club.
However, after 90 minutes of sweat, both titans could not find a breakthrough with all to fight for going into the reverse leg in South Africa.
Speaking after Simba regrouped for training on Monday, Lupembe reflected on the outcome of the first leg reminding his players of the missed opportunity they had to win the game at home.
The veteran mentor then called for strong mental character if they are to weather the storm of facing Chiefs right in their backyard of Soweto.
“Before going to the rematch that we need to win, it is like what we said here that we needed to win at our place but we didn’t win,” Lupembe told his club’s media in a translated version of French.
“We have to go and confirm it somewhere. It is going to take us to be 100 percent physically, well technically and well tactically especially mentally well because the difference is on the mental level. The right mentality. We will have a very difficult game to play. It will be a match of an African level. Top level.”
Earlier, Chiefs coach Khalil Ben Youssef suggested that his side failed to win the game because they faced challenges, including that five players were struck by a severe stomach bug, hours before kickoff against Simba.
The two teams will meet again at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday with the overall winner proceeding to the group stages of the continental competition.
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