Mikia Kalati
BANTU coach James Madidilane has called on his charges to be ruthless when they take on Nigeria’s Enugu Rangers in today’s play-off of the Confederations Cup at Setsoto Stadium.
The A Matšo Matebele coach said his side has grown steadily on the continental front and should utilise the home ground advantage in the first leg this afternoon.
The two teams will clash in the second leg in the West Africa country next Sunday.
“The most important factor when playing at home is that we will not hold back but try to take the game to our opponents,” Madidilane told this publication.
“In the same way, we will have to be careful to ensure that they do not catch us on the counter.”
The Bantu mentor said that his side will use a different approach to those which they employed against Township Rollers and AS VITA Club while playing at home.
“We have to take the fight to them so that we get the advantage and win the match from the first leg,” Madidilane said.
However, Madidilane revealed that his side will be without hard-man and vice-captain Lindokuhle Phungulwa due to injury while Lehlohonolo Fothoane has been given the greenlight to play in today’s match.
“Phungulwa is out but Fothoane passed the fitness test on Friday and will be available.
“It’s a huge blow to lose Phungulwa but we also have Tau Masiu available.
“I believe Masiu will do the job and I’m sure Phungulwa will be back for the second leg in Nigeria. We rather lose him here than for the return leg,” Madidilane said.
The coach however, said despite the setback of losing the star midfielder, the spirit remains high in their camp and he is confident they will get positive results against the Nigerians.
“The morale has remained very high and I’m positive that the players will rise to the occasion.
“The players are motivated and all that is left is to go onto the field of play on the day and deliver the results.
“We need positive results and ensure that we do not concede at home because I know they will try to score and leave with an away goal.
“One of their games which we watched against an Egyptian team, they won away and drew at home so we have to ensure that they do not get an away goal,” Madidilane said.
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