Nouadhibou boss labels Sundowns as the best in Africa

After their 3-0 loss in Tshwane, Nouadhibou boss Aritz Garai labels Mamelodi Sundowns as the best team in Africa.

The Mauritanian side, Nouadhibou visited Sundowns last weekend for their opening Champions League group stage match.

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Fresh from the African Football League glory, Rulani Mokwena and his troops stand in line to challenge for the Champions League.

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NOUADHIBOU BOSS LABELS SUNDOWNS AS THE BEST IN AFRICA

The Brazilians will look to emulate former coach Pitso Mosimane’s side which lifted their first-ever continental championship back in 2016.

“I even said before the game that maybe at this point they are the best team in Africa,” Nouadhibou boss Garai said per Phakaaathi.

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“They play with the ball and without the ball they press. Their fans are fantastic and the atmosphere is fantastic.

“They have good coaches and I think they are one of the favourites. Wydad and Al-Ahly have a lot of power to win but for me, Mamelodi Sundowns are one of the favourites to win the Champions League.”

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In addition, Nouadhibou made their passage into the group stages for the first time as they walloped Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli, a feat the boss Garai calls a miracle.

On their way to qualifying for the group stages, the Spaniard and his team also stunned the continent by sending Rèal Bamako crashing out of the competition in the preliminary rounds.

“The championship in South Africa is very strong and it’s different from our league,” he adds.

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“We play a lot of games and we win but when we play opponents of this level it becomes difficult. We played away but when we play at home it will be different.

“It was different for my players to play this kind of opponent and I feel they were a bit nervous with the ball because we don’t normally lose the ball but Sundowns press very good.

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“We learn in this competition. For us to be here is a big miracle. There has never been a Mauritanian team that played in the Champions League.”

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