Methembe Ndlovu confident of progressing to next round

By Tichaona Sibanda
29 January 2007

Highlanders boss Methembe Ndlovu is sure they will reach the second round of this year’s African Champions League campaign despite scrapeing through the first leg against Pamplemousse of Mauritius at Barbourfields stadium on Sunday.

A first half strike by Obadiah Tarumbwa was all that separated the two sides ahead of the eagerly awaited second leg in Mauritius in a fortnight. The Highlanders mentor said he was satisfied with the performance of his players despite missing numerous chances that could have put them in a strong position for the return leg.

Speaking to Newsreel from Bulawayo on Monday, Ndlovu felt the players acquitted themselves well, taking into account the fact that the team hasn’t played any competitive football in the last two months.

‘I honestly believed it would not be a high scoring match. People expected an avalanche of goals but they should not lose heart as we have the return leg to show our pedigree. We are looking forward to that match and we hope to seal our passage to the next round with a win there,’ Ndlovu said.

He added: ‘we still have confidence we can go through, we just have to make sure we concentrate on our next match. We had enough possession to win, but you have to take your chances. We want to go to Mauritius and win now.’

The reigning Premier Soccer League champions were expected to roll over their opponents and take an insurmountable lead for the second leg in the Indian Ocean Island. Ndlovu said he was surprised to see the visitors celebrating at the end of the match warning; ‘it was a bit premature’.

‘I saw them celebrating and this surprised me because there is the second leg to play. We respect them as a team but we will certainly approach the return leg differently. We would rather go on the offensive than defend the slender one goal lead.’

If Highlanders win or draw in Mauritius they will meet the holders of the African Champion League Cup, Egyptians Al Ahly, in the second round.