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“After the first five minutes we controlled the game”
Ittihad Al-Asimah coach of Algeria’s Senegalese side Lamine Ndiaye confirmed that his side traveled to Cairo with the sole aim of winning the African Confederation Cup title, saying they took control against Zamalek when the Egyptian side took the lead from the penalty spot.
The Metropolitan Union won the Continental Cup for the second time in its historyWith an 8-7 penalty shootout victory over Zamalek on Saturday night, the two teams were level on aggregate with one goal apiece.
Ndiaye said at the post-match press conference from the Cairo International Stadium. “We came to Cairo to win and we were aware of the difficulty of the task. After the first five minutes we controlled the match and were able to adjust the result and go to the penalties that decided the title in our favor.”
“We did not back down at any stage of the game, rather we played offensively and created many chances. We were subjected to counter-attacks, from which the opponent could have scored, but we were the best in most of the match.”
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The Senegalese coach continued. “Zamalek only had 34 percent of the ball, while we had most of the ball and shot on goal.”
Ndiaye continued. “Our approach forced Zamalek to retreat. We pressed hard and were the best, and that enabled us to achieve our goal.”
Zamalek star, Brazilian Juan Bezera and his influence, he said. “He’s not a big threat if the ball doesn’t get to him, so we focused on isolating him completely, which we managed to do.”
The Senegalese coach talked about the preparation for the penalty shootout, saying: “We want to practice penalties regularly before the Algerian Cup final (which won the title).
