adminZAMALEK head coach Helmy Tolan has expressed his happiness after their tight 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates in day four of the Group stage of the African Champions League.“We beat the strongest team in the group which is Orlando. They are a very tough team and they played a very good game against us. In fact they were better than us but our players refused to give up the three points that has now given us new life. We wanted it more,” Tolan said after the match.
“If we lost the game it would have meant the end, but now we have hope and must win the rest of our matches. Thank God we play all at home,” he added.
Assistant coach Osama Nabeh said: “We have to thank the players because they showed they deserve to stay in the tournament. It’s the first win for us in the Group stage and that is a very good sign for our team”.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa questioned the number of penalties awarded in Caf Champions League matches following their 2-1 defeat to Zamalek in their Group A clash in Egypt on Sunday.
Pirates conceded a penalty six minutes into the match, but despite the loss they still lead the group with seven points from four matches.
“It’s quite sad, every team talk we give we talk about conceding a penalty,” De Sa said on the team’s arrival at OR Tambo yesterday.
“You don’t touch them in the box because they’re looking for it [penalties].
“I don’t know how many penalties are awarded in these competitions, and this time Senzo Meyiwa [Pirates goalkeeper] didn’t save it.”
In three away games Pirates have conceded four penalties, with Meyiwa pulling off a crucial save in their 3-0 victory over Al Ahly on 4 August.
Al Ahly have joined Pirates on the same number of points, but the South African team boasts a positive five-goal difference, six better than their Egyptian counterparts.
The excessive heat also played a role in Pirates’ lacklustre performance and, De Sa said his side would plan better for the extreme temperatures.
“There were difficult conditions with the heat, that was the downside for us,” he said.-Sport24.
Online Reporter