In anticipation of their vital CAF Champions League showdown, the coach of Remo Stars has downplayed the celebrated status of Mamelodi Sundowns, stressing that the upcoming fixture is simply a contest between two squads of eleven players each. Read on for Tiago Conde’s confident insights ahead of this crucial encounter.
Tiago Conde, the head coach of Remo Stars, has adopted a bold and unshaken stance as his team prepares to face Mamelodi Sundowns. He emphasized that the match will be decided purely on the pitch, where historical accolades carry no weight.
The Nigerian champions are set to confront the South African powerhouse in a decisive CAF Champions League qualifying tie, approaching the game with unwavering determination, as expressed by their coach.
Conde, the Portuguese tactician, deliberately downplayed the significance of Sundowns’ illustrious past, insisting that the result will hinge solely on the performance delivered on the Abeokuta turf.
Approaching the Game as an Equal Contest
In a media session ahead of the first leg of the Second Preliminary Round, Conde acknowledged the strength of their adversaries but reframed the match as a balanced duel.
“Taking on Mamelodi Sundowns is both a formidable challenge and a privilege,” Conde stated, as shown in a club video.
“Their track record in this competition far surpasses ours. Yet, for the 90 minutes on Sunday, none of that history will matter. It will be a straightforward contest: eleven players versus eleven players.”
Focusing on Present Ambitions
The coach underscored his squad’s aspiration to reach a milestone they have yet to achieve: qualifying for the lucrative group stage of the tournament.
This message is intended to motivate his players to disregard the intimidating reputation of one of Africa’s top clubs.
Mamelodi Sundowns squad preparing for a Betway Premiership match. Photo credit: Imago
“Our ambition is to achieve what has eluded us so far – to win and advance to the group phase. It’s undoubtedly a challenging task, but it’s equally demanding for our opponents,” he remarked.
“We respect Mamelodi Sundowns’ stature, yet our concentration is firmly on the present challenge, not their past glories,” Conde concluded, setting a determined tone for Remo Stars’ upcoming performance.