Football News

Tunisian media have highlighted what they deem to be "serious" weaknesses in Rulani Mokwena's Mamelodi Sundowns side ahead of their crunch CAF Champions League tie against Esperance. 

The Blood and Gold are set to face Masandawana in the CAFCL semi-finals, with the first leg set to be played this Saturday and the second on Friday, 26 April.

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Reports have suggested that the four-time competition winners from Tunisia have altered the way they usually prepare for matches by spending this week training behind closed doors. 

While the side ready themselves for the challenge of trying to overcome the current African Football League title holders, the country's media have pointed out what they believe to be some Sundowns frailties that could potentially be exploited. 

Winwin Tunisa has suggested that "set-pieces and crosses are considered a serious weakness in Sundowns' defence", and also stated that the side has conceded a significant number of goals from corners due to defenders "being late in getting up to the ball and misreading the game". 

Although the report praised striker Peter Shalulile and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, it also labelled the way the shot-stopper attacks balls coming into the box from set-pieces as "incorrect", adding that the 32-year-old is susceptible to shots aimed at the far post. 

The Tunisian publication went on to suggest that another chink in the Downs armour is its vulnerability to counter-attacks, citing the advanced positions taken up by Masandawana's fullbacks when in possession leaving "large gaps at the back that must be exploited" by the Blood and Gold. 

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The report did,

Mamelodi Sundowns Peter Shalulile African Football Ronwen Williams