Pitso Mosimane, the Al Ahly coach, has discussed the prospect of facing Kaizer Chiefs in the final of the CAF Champions League, speaking glowingly about Gavin Hunt, his counterpart at Naturena.
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Both Ahly and Amakhosi progressed to the semifinals of the premier continental club competition at the weekend following wins over Mamelodi Sundowns and Simba SC respectively – but they can only meet in the final.
The Egyptians will take on neighbours Esperance de Tunis, while Chiefs face Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, who finished above them in the group stages.
“I don’t chose people. I go with one game at a time and I have big respect. Did you see the goals that Chiefs scored? Tell me the goals that Chiefs scored. What were they? With the head,” Mosimane told journalists after Ahly’s 3-1 aggregate win over Downs.
“Simba can play very well, and they dribbled us in Tanzania (Simba topped the group Ahly were in). But when they came to us we organised and we put the ball here (in the air) and then you win. I am not going to point a finger at Gavin Hunt because I respect him.”
Chiefs survived a scare away at Simba and almost surrendered their 4-0 lead from the first leg with the hosts scoring three times in Tanzania.
But they were able to salvage a 4-3 aggregate victory.
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The ex-Sundowns coach, who won an unprecedented 11 trophies in nearly eight years at the club, explained why he held the Amakhosi mentor in high regard.
“You know why? Gavin Hunt has won four titles and lots of trophies, so why should I disrespect him? He’s got experience. He might not do very well in the league, but he knows how to win a game,” Mosimane explained.
“We have been there, we don’t just talk things – we know how to win a match. But I have high respect for Sundowns, a team I love so much having worn the jersey and driven this team alone for eight years not with other people. I am driving Ahly, alone.”
Story by @superjourno
Scroll through the gallery to see Chiefs in action in Tanzania...
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