Maniema Union Coach Credits Kaizer Chiefs Tactics in Draw Against Sundowns

AS Maniema Union, the Congolese debutants in the CAF Champions League, stunned many with a goalless draw against South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday. Coach Papy Kimoto revealed that Kaizer Chiefs’ tactical approach against Sundowns inspired his team’s strategy, leading to a valuable point in their first Group B encounter.

What Happened?

Maniema Union entered the group stages after advancing through the preliminary rounds. They found themselves in a challenging Group B alongside Sundowns, Moroccan champions Raja Casablanca, and runners-up AS FAR Rabat.

Facing Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, the Congolese outfit delivered a disciplined defensive display, neutralizing the attack-heavy South African side. The match ended 0-0, a result many did not anticipate against a team that reached the semi-finals in the previous season.

What Kimoto Said

Reflecting on the match, Coach Kimoto credited their defensive approach, inspired by Kaizer Chiefs’ tactics earlier in the PSL season.

“We made Sundowns play the way they played because we had more defensive football. We cannot play or try to play a possession game with Sundowns; they are better at that,” Kimoto explained.

He elaborated further, saying:

“I saw some games against Kaizer Chiefs at the beginning of the league. They played the same way, and I will say they played very well. We made [Sundowns] play that way of kind of attacking without really getting to us because of having more defenders. I’m happy with the draw; it’s more than enough for us.”

The Bigger Picture

Stopping a team like Sundowns, known for their fluid possession-based football, is no small feat. The Brazilians have dominated South African and continental football with their attacking style. For Maniema Union, their ability to adapt and execute a defensive game plan demonstrated tactical maturity, especially for a team making its CAF Champions League debut.

What’s Next?

Maniema Union will now turn their focus to their next Group B clash against AS FAR Rabat on December 7 at the Pentecostal Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa. A win in front of their home fans would boost their chances of progressing from this difficult group.

Meanwhile, Sundowns will face AS FAR Rabat away, needing a strong performance to recover after dropping points at home.

Maniema Union’s defensive resilience and strategic preparation have set the tone for what could be an inspiring Champions League campaign. As the group stage progresses, the Congolese side will aim to build on their impressive start, proving they belong among Africa’s elite.