Salmi downplays absence of Bukasa, Mukoko after Sundowns loss

Saint Eloi Lupopo assistant coach Yassine Salmi has downplayed the significance of the absence of head coach Guy Bukasa and player Dieumerci Amale Mukoko following the team’s 3-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in their CAF Champions League group stage opener.

Lupopo, who were making their debut in the group stage, conceded a brace from Nuno Santos and a strike from Marcelo Allende, with Ramos Kashala netting the solitary goal for the Linafoot side at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

The Congolese club now finds itself in a challenging “Group of Death,” which also includes continental heavyweights MC Alger and Al Hilal. In the group’s other fixture on Friday afternoon, Rulani Mokwena’s Algerian side fell 2-1 to the Sudanese outfit Al Hilal.

Salmi attributed the loss against Sundowns more to his team’s focus and efficiency rather than the absence of personnel.

Lupopo Assistant Blames Second-Half Slump For Loss To Sundowns

“We played very well in the first half, but we lost a bit of focus and were not so efficient in scoring. Sundowns, on the other hand, had the edge, were more focused, and that’s why they scored two [in the second half],” Salmi stated.

When asked specifically about the missing players, the assistant coach was quick to deflect the attention from individuals.

“Mukoko is a special player, you know, but no… I can’t speak about Mukoko. There are other players here; if we win as a team, we lose as a team,” he insisted. “It’s just about being focused. It’s not about the coach, or Mukoko not being here; sometimes we just need to put the ball in the net.”

Salmi pinpointed the second half as the turning point. “If you see the match, we lost the match in the second half, why? If we have opportunities and don’t take them, you get punished,” he explained.

Looking ahead, Salmi expressed confidence in their prospects at home. “The next time, we will work on our efficiency and take more of our opportunities. We are good at home, and we will see in the next games in Lubumbashi.”