When it comes to a Caf Champions League final the tactics are tighter than a space shuttle’s joints‚ margins thinner than the air on Mars‚ and getting things right in the two matches will decide who the best club in Africa are. Orlando Pirates twice met north Africa teams in continental finals in the past four years‚ and twice lost by small margins and decisions.Bucs were out-thought by Al Ahly in a 3-1 aggregate defeat in the Champions League final in 2013 and then Etoile Du Sahel (1-0) in the Confederation Cup last year.Mamelodi Sundowns take on the hugely experienced Egyptian giants Zamalek – among the cleverest of practitioners of pragmatic winning football in continental competition – in this year’s final.Here are five things Downs need to get right if they are to beat Zamalek over the two legs‚ at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday‚ and in Alexandria on Sunday October23:1. Do not – repeat – do not‚ by any means‚ concede a goal at homeJust ask Pirates. In 2013 against Ahly‚ and 2015 against Sahel‚ they drew 1-1 at both times in the home first legs.Sundowns‚ too‚ know how important and away goal is. They were out of the tie in this year’s semifinal against Zesco United in Ndola at 2-0 down‚ before Khama Billiat pulled a goal back in the 87th-minute. That strike handed the advantage to Downs for the second leg.South Africa teams used to go out to try to score as many goals as they could in a home first leg. Lately‚ the mindset has changed and the emphasis is on‚ first‚ not conceding‚ with goals scored an added bonus.2. Try to score an away goalHaving done the hard work and kept the scoreline at home at zero‚ Downs can win it with an away goal. Of course‚ if they have a goal or two from the home leg‚ that helps too.3. Who will play at centre-forward?In the absence of Leonardo Castro‚ Khama Billiat has been playing at false No. 9 with mixed success. Leading the line‚ where Billiat is expected to utilise his pace running off defenders’ shoulders‚ has limited the player’s freedom to roam‚ create and run at teams from between the lines. The more one looks at it‚ the more one believes perhaps Anthony Laffor should start. And‚ also‚ that perhaps he should not.Laffor is no more of a natural centre-forward than Billiat is‚ but does at least have height and physical presence. With Billiat behind him the pairing could run riot.But Laffor has muddied the issue with his mixed performances when given rare starts lately.In the semifinal second leg he scored in the fifth minute to set up the 2-0 home win against Zesco. The Liberian started again in the MTN8 final and was ineffective – living up to Pitso Mosimane’s complaint that Laffor can cost the coach a substitute when given a starting place.But one thing Laffor does like is the big matches‚ and they just don’t come bigger than this for a club in Africa. It’s a tough decision. What will Mosimane do?4. Make sure the left side of defence is completely prepared for Shikabala or FathiZamalek’s attacking‚ set piece-taking legend is 30-year-old Shikabala‚ the forward with more than 250 caps for the team from Cairo‚ interspersed with stints in Greece‚ UAE and Portugal. The intelligence of Shikabala or pace of the 22-year-old goal-scoring tearaway Mostafa Fathi – both left-footers – are utilised either at playmaker or right midfield for the White Knights.Wherever they play‚ Zamalek’s coaching staff are sure to have taken note of how Downs’ left side of defence of Thabo Nthethe and Tebogo Langerman were exposed by Zesco in Ndola‚ and the instruction will be to apply pressure there.Langerman on his good days – such as when he excellently set up Percy Tau’s headed second in the second leg against Zesco – is an overlapping asset to Downs. When he’s bad‚ he can be exposed defensively. Over the next two weeks Sundowns need to ensure ‘Langers’ is good.5. Don’t be fooled by Zamalek playing possumDid I mention Zamalek were clever? Egyptian clubs are the masters in away matches of turning an abysmally ugly‚ apparently inept performance into the result that will suit their needs.They will play possum‚ appear dead in the game‚ defend for almost the 90 minutes and barely bother to mount a structured attack.But Downs should not be fooled. It’s a clever ruse. And relax for a second‚ make one mistake or lapse in concentration‚ and Mosimane’s side will find that out to their detriment‚ as the Knights spring to life and utilise the opportunity – more often than not capitalising with a goal.- TMG Digital..