Ahead of the CAF Confederations Cup match final between Congolese giants TP Mazembe and Algerian side MO Bejaia on Saturday, October,2016, coaches of the two clubs have shared their thoughts.
However, the two coaches who are all looking forward to making history didn’t discard the crucial match’s beauty.
Below is what the two coaches say:
Nasser Sandjak (Head Coach, MO Bejaia)
MO Bejaia is a small team in this competition, and will challenge a side that has a pedigree in African football. Both teams know each other well having clashed twice at the group stage and the results were very tight; a draw (0-0) in Bejaia and a 1-0 victory for Mazembe in Lubumbashi.
I don’t know if Saturday’s game will be similar to the last game in Bejaia between the two sides. It will depend on several parameters. We are playing in Blida, a stadium that we are not familiar with.
The pressure will be very high on the shoulders of the players and we will have to stay focused on the field, and avoid mistakes since the slightest misstep can be fatal in the final.
The most important thing is to be good on the pitch and for the players to give the best of themselves. Rigour and patience are the main ingredients. It is complicated but our fans can count on us to give the best of ourselves.
Hubert Velud (Head Coach, TP Mazembe)
Our previous matches against MO Bejaia were tight, and this will be the case on Saturday. Being in the final is the first step. When you are playing for the title, you have to be emotional. You are on the field to win, nothing else.
Our opponents are strong and tough, and I have asked my players to be vigilant. I have my players an error can make you win or lose. The fact that the Algerians have no experience on the continental scene must not be taken for granted. They were still unknown at the beginning of the year and they are formidable.
