TP Mazembe coach Lamine Ndiaye wishes to avoid Sundowns en route to CL glory

After six matches in Group A, the Brazilians finished above their DR Congo counterparts when they beat them 1-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Lucas Moripe Stadium although the two sides had already booked a spot in the quarterfinals.

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CAF is set to conduct the draw for the last eight on 13 March, and when asked who he’d like Mazembe to face Lamine said anyone but Downs.

“I don’t care, as long as we don’t play Sundowns. But whichever team we face, we are going to be very clear and score when we get chances,” the coach told SABC Sport.

During his press conference later, Ndiaye added that he believed the Champions League title was up for grabs looking at the quality of the opposition.

Joining them and Sundowns in the quarterfinals are holders Al Ahly [Egypt], Simba SC, Young Africans [both Tanzania], Petro de Luanda [Angola], Esperance [Tunisia], and ASEC Mimosas [Cote d’Ivoire]. 

“All the teams that have qualified are contenders to win the Champions League. I think even the best teams can have just one game where they are not at their best and lose. It’s not rocket science, any team can win it. Even the best teams lose sometimes, so the knockout phase will be interesting. Of course I believe in my team, but we have to be consistent. If you are not consistent it’s not encouraging. We are working on it, and if we get this right – we can go very far,” Ndiaye explained.

“I am getting older and I know at some point I have to retire. But I love what I am doing and I want to give 100 percent, although I feel today [against Downs] we haven’t done that. This job is a pleasure for me, it’s what I like…so there’s no pressure.”