Moorosi Tsiane
Maseru
Primeiro de Agosto head coach, Da?to Faquirá, says he has “a lot of respect” for Lioli but still believes the Lesotho champions are not good enough to stop his charges from advancing to the first round of the 2014 African Champions League.
The Angolan giants arrived in Maseru on Thursday for the second leg of their preliminary round fixture of the continental football showcase, which takes place at Setsoto Stadium this afternoon.
After beating Lioli 2-0 in the first leg played in Luanda last Saturday, Faquirá says today’s fixture would not be different and expects another “comfortable” win.
In an interview with the Sunday Express on the sidelines of the team’s Friday training session at Setsoto, a relaxed Faquirá said: “From our first meeting, I realised that they are a very good team. They are going to be even more difficult in the second leg because they would be playing before their own fans.
“But we are prepared for the fight; we know what we have to do. They are a good side, yes, but not good enough to stop us. It won’t be an easy match, but still, we will beat them.”
According to Faquirá, every match comes with pressure, hence playing away from home does not bother him and his charges.
“There is always pressure in this business, but luckily, Lioli would be under more pressure than us because they are two goals down, going into this match.”
Asked about his game-plan for today, the amiable coach said he would instruct his players to put Lioli under attack from the first whistle.
“We have to go out there and score goals; there is no better way to defend than to attack your opponent. At least, if we can score early in the game, we can calm our nerves and then attack even more.
“But having said that, we will not open ourselves to counter-attacks. We will be patient, of-course, but with attack foremost in our minds.”
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