TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup: Pre-match quotes from coaches and players
Match Day 4 of the groups stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup officially gets underway on Sunday, 5 January with a number of mouth-watering ties lined-up throughout the day.
With qualification to the knockout stages at stake in the next couple of games, this is what some of the coaches and players had to say ahead of Match Day 04.
Al-Masry vs Zamalek SC
Al-Masry Head Coach - Ali Maher
"We are aware of the importance of the game tomorrow and I am so confident in my players and their ability to accomplish a positive result. Al-Masry fans are so supportive and they are the ones who always push us forward to clinch the victory. The players are ready for the game against Zamalek. They are so focused on the game. The team is used to difficult matches."
Al-Masry Player - Mahmoud Hamada
"We are ready for the game and so concentrated on the match, Our goal is to go further in the competition. Tomorrow's game is so important and both teams are as an open book to each other. The secret word is Al-Masry supporters and we hope we can meet their expectations."
Zamalek head Coach - Christian Gross
"Sunday's match is very important for us and I expect it to be a tough game considering the strength of our opponent and the desire of the our team to maintain the top. Zamalek is capable of winning. Facing a team from the same country is so difficult for any team, especially that both sides know each other very well. It won't be easy for either Zamalek or Al Masry."
Zamalek Player - Omar Gaber
"We are facing a strong and difficult team. This is our third encounter together within a short span of time. Our opponent is a disciplined and strong team, but Zamalek is looking for a win, that's our target, winning and adding three more points to our tally. Actually, Zamalek players' goal is winning any competition they participate in."
Stellenbosch FC vs CD Lunda Sul
Clube Desportivo da Lunda-Sul Coach - Cléverson Maurílio Silva
“We are ready. We know that it’s going to be a tough game. We have been surprised at our home but now we are ready for the next game. We have worked, so now we can surprise Stellenbosch.”
Clube Desportivo da Lunda-Sul Player - Zemilson Garcia
“We know that tomorrow is going to be a tough game but we have worked a lot this week and we are confident that we will get a good result. As a club, we are expecting to leave here with full points.”
Stellenbosch FC Coach - Steve Barker
“We are looking forward to the match, the key game was of course the one away from home where we had to win the game to keep ourselves alive in the competition. Tomorrow is a similar situation where we have to win the game if we harbour any thoughts of making it to the knockout stages. We have prepared really well and the players are hungry for success.
“It’s a big match for us a football club and as a team. It’s important that even though we got a win away from home especially in the first half where the opposition did not make it easy - we sort of dominated the second half and we were fortunate to get the goal we deserved. It’s important that at home we don’t underestimate the opposition.
“It’s important for us to play to our strengths to get maximum points tomorrow. Any other result won’t be good for us.”
Stellenbosch FC Player - Fawaz Basadien
“We always strive for success as players to achieve more than what we have achieved. The mood in camp is good and everyone is ready to do what is needed to be done to get the results.”