Visa chaos couldn't stop them! Wiliete coach reveals ordeal behind Sundowns shock
Wiliete's historic night in Pretoria came despite a serious travel nightmare.
Details: The Angolan club eliminated defending CAF Champions League holders Mamelodi Sundowns in the second preliminary round, drawing 1-1 in Pretoria after a goalless first leg and advancing on the away-goals rule. The result sent Wiliete into the competition's group stage for the first time in their history.
After the final whistle, Wiliete head coach Beto Bianchi stressed how significant the result was for the young club:
“What we did here today is really good for the club. It's a new club. This game has a big value because of a rival that we defeat (drew), which has been great for our club because of the Mamelodi name.”
Bianchi then revealed just how complicated the build-up to the return leg had been. Several members of his squad faced immigration problems before travelling to South Africa:
“It's also great for the circumstance, because yesterday five players arrived because they had immigration issues. Three players couldn't make because of the immigration as well.”
Despite those setbacks, the coach praised the determination shown by his players:
“Although we had all those problems, we sacrificed ourselves and now we are here. I want congratulate my players. It's not everyday you beat Mamelodi in their house.”
Bianchi also explained that Wiliete had expected Sundowns to dominate possession and force the visitors into a deep defensive shape.
“It's evident that Mamelodi will push us back because they are playing home. When it comes to defend the low block, we did well. They had a lot of opportunities, but this is football,” the coach said.
It is worth noting that Wiliete were founded in 2018 and became a professional club in 2019. Their victory over the reigning African champions has now taken the Angolan side into the CAF Champions League group stage for the first time.
Reminder: For the first time since 2015! Mamelodi Sundowns set an embarrassing anti-record in the CAF Champions League
Steven Perez
Dailysports's expert
