Wiliete coach Bianchi reveals plan that held Mamelodi Sundowns to a draw

Wiliete head coach Beto Bianchi says his side used disciplined defensive tactics to frustrate CAF Champions League holders Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of their second qualifying-round tie in Angola.

Sundowns were given a bye in the opening round and had been expected to make a strong start against Wiliete. Instead, the match finished 0-0, leaving the tie finely balanced before Friday’s decisive second leg at Loftus.

The winner on aggregate will qualify for the group stage.

Despite concerns over the relationship between the two clubs, Bianchi said Wiliete had received a positive welcome from Sundowns in Pretoria. However, the Brazilian coach expects a more difficult challenge when the teams meet again at the South African club’s home ground.

“The welcome here in Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns have been very supportive,” Bianchi told journalists at the pre-match press conference at the venue.

“We know that with the match, it is going to be a little bit tough as we know that the match was tough before.

“This second time it is going to be challenging, knowing that we are playing in their house and there will be more adaptation from us.”

Bianchi, 59, also explained how Wiliete managed to prevent Miguel Cardoso’s Sundowns team from creating clear opportunities in Lubango.

His side focused on limiting space and closely marking Sundowns’ attacking players, an approach he believes must be repeated in the return fixture.

“We started well and we knew that Mamelodi Sundowns is a very strong team and dangerous if you give them spaces,” he said.

“We played well in Angola with good strategies. We closed their players well; we didn’t give them chances to score. We’re hoping to play the same.”

Wiliete were founded in 2018 and have never previously reached the group stage of the CAF Champions League.

Sundowns, meanwhile, must find a way past a team that successfully contained them in the opening match if they are to continue their defence of the competition.