Kekana admits defensive shortcomings were responsible for Sundowns' defeat in Zambia

Ndola - Mamelodi Sundowns’ defensive performance was poor‚ admitted captain Hlompho Kekana after his side’s 2-1 Caf Champions League first leg defeat against Zesco United in Ndola on Saturday.

Downs were left desperately fighting back after - having only disjointedly held Zesco's attack in the first half - they capitulated to a lightning brace by Jackson Mwanza in the 54th and 56th minutes.

The Brazilians’ defensive performance was poor‚ as their left side of Tebogo Langerman and Thabo Nthethe struggled especially against elusive Kenyan striker Jesse Were. Under pressure from Zesco’s pressing‚ Downs resorted to ineffective long balls in attack.

It was only in the 87th minute‚ in a counterattack initiated by Keagan Dolly‚ that Khama Billiat was able to finish under huge pressure for a priceless away goal that has left the advantage marginally to the team from Pretoria in the second leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

“We are excited as a team. We worked very hard to achieve that goal‚” Kekana said.

“We wanted it just to boost ourselves and leave ourselves in a very good position. I think we stand a good chance because we scored away. It’s a very important goal for us.”

Kekana admitted Downs struggled to get their passing game together on a well-grassed but bumpy pitch‚ and were not always convincing dealing with a Zesco attack that had scored 24 goals in 12 games in the Champions League.

“We saw that coming because we had analysed them in our video sessions. We saw that their attack is very powerful‚” the Bafana Bafana defensive midfielder said.

“We worked on it. But I think we really need to do better in terms of defending. The goals we conceded were scrappy.

“It’s always difficult to play on such a surface. But we can’t complain about that.

“As a team we really need to look at ourselves and try to look in a very positive way‚ to say‚ ‘We scored away. What else can we ask for?’.

“And now we really need to try and win the match at home.”

Sundowns have clearly missed Leonardo Castro since his absence from injury. The big Colombian centre-forward provides the focal point in attack for Downs as part of the vaunted “CBD” (Castro‚ Khama Billiat‚ Dolly) frontline.

Billiat‚ asked to lead the line on Saturday rather than his normal deep‚ roaming creative role‚ struggled against the physical Zesco central defenders.

Kekana was reluctant to point to Castro’s absence playing a role in Downs struggling here in Ndola.

“I wouldn’t say much about the attack. I think a team at a team of Mamelodi Sundowns’ calibre everyone who plays for it needs to contribute‚” he said.

“We fought. We tried as a team. You saw the young Percy Tau finding himself in very good scoring positions‚ but the anxiety crept in for the boy.

“But I think we really need to keep putting ourselves in those positions to see ourselves in the final of this tournament.”

Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane seems likely to field a B team in his side’s midweek MTN8 semifinal second leg match against Chippa United at Lucas Moripe‚ where the scoreline is locked at 0-0 from the first leg in Port Elizabeth.