Stade Malien coach Mauril Njoyo insists his team is ready and confident ahead of their CAF Champions League quarterfinal showdown with Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Malian side reached the quarterfinals for the first time since the 1970s, topping their group ahead of Esperance de Tunis, Petro de Luanda, and Simba SC. Their reward: a clash with last season’s runners-up Sundowns.
Despite facing one of Africa’s most formidable sides, Njoyo remains undaunted.
“We finished first, and we have to meet the South African team, Mamelodi Sundowns,” Njoyo said.
“I tell myself we are a team that knows how to play against playable teams. That’s why I have no fear. I have no anxiety when it comes to qualifying for the semifinals.
The coach pointed out that his team has faced and matched up against stronger opponents before.
“Esperance de Tunis was superior to us. Petro Atletico was superior to us. Simba was also superior to us. But we feel superiority on the field, not on paper.
“I do prefer a team that is superior to us because it allows us to work more to reach their level.
“I admit that if I still need to say it, we are not afraid of anyone. I think this team [Sundowns] should be afraid of us because we play freely. We have no complexes, we play freely.
“They are afraid of losing. We are not afraid of anything, and we will play our football as we have always done,” he added.
The quarterfinal first legs are scheduled for March 13–14, with the return fixtures set for March 20–21.
