Pitso content with Tunis draw

In a cagey match, Sundowns had an excellent first half chance through Percy Tau, but in the end settled for a share of the spoils in the Tunisian capital.

It was certainly an improvement on the 2-1 loss to Esperance in Atteridgeville, and Mosimane credited this at least in part to the return of captain Hlompho Kekana and forwards Anthony Laffor and Yannick Zakri from injury.

“I think we played tactically well,” said Mosimane afterwards.

“The game was well organised from both teams. This is the kind of Champions League game you see when two teams are disciplined… we hoped we could have won, we only had one clear chance with Percy but we didn’t take it… but we played well.

“It was a good thing we got KK (Kekana) back and Zakri and Anthony, it really made a big difference.”

The result moves the Brazilians back into second place in Group C, ahead of Ethopia’s St George on goal difference, but still three points behind group leaders Esperance, with two games left to play. The top two sides in the group will reach the quarterfinals of this year’s expanded Champions League.

Sundowns must now avoid defeat in Ethiopia against St George on July 1 if they are to remain in contention to reach the last eight. Conversely, they will reach the last eight with a game to spare if they win in Addis Ababa, and DR Congo’s AS Vita fail to beat Esperance in Kinshasa.

“You have to be clever and see the bigger picture and progress slowly until the sixth game is finished,” added the Sundowns head coach.

Meanwhile, in a Caf Confederation Cup group stages game on Wednesday night, Platinum Stars did well to hold another Tunisian giant, CS Sfaxien, to a 1-1 draw in Rustenburg.

The result, however, leaves Dikwena still bottom of their group and virtually out of the running to reach the quarterfinals.