Moorosi Tsiane
LIOLI will go all out for an early goal in their quest to overcome Zimbabwean side Caps United in their own back yard to secure qualification to the next stage of the CAF Champions League.
The teams clash at the National Sports Stadium in Harare this afternoon, a week after sharing the spoils in a goalless stalemate in the first leg at Setsoto Stadium.
In an interview with the Sunday Express from Harare yesterday, Lioli coach Halemakale Mahlaha said his charges were ready for the tie and they needed to find an early goal.
“The atmosphere has been generally good but of course there are challenges here and there but that is nothing new to us,” Mahlaha said, adding, “the players are all in good shape and we will go for the last training session this afternoon (Saturday)”.
“We squandered the chances of wrapping up the game at home and it is surely not going to be easy to win here but with the commitment and attitude I have seen from my players I am confident we will win, we just need to find an early goal to avoid any pressure that might come.”
Mahlaha said they have studied their opponents and will try to come with an effective game plan.
“They have good players and we have identified them and have also studied the whole team so we will try to come up with an effective game plan that can help us to win the match, I think we need to keep the ball and try to frustrate them.”
Lioli midfielder Jerry Kamela shared Mahlaha’s sentiments, adding they would not settle for anything less than a win.
“It is one of those matches that we need to win and we have played well in past matches outside the country and hopefully it will be the same case here.
“Pressure is always there in football but I think it will be more on them than us as they are playing at home and we are away,” said Kamela.