Mamelodi Sundowns coach Ted Dumitru carries a heavy burden into the third round of the African Confederation Cup this weekend.
He must try to guide a South African club in transitional mode after the exit of French coach Henri Michel to victory when they host experienced international campaigners V Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
And the veteran Romanian wants to restore the tarnished image of South African clubs in Africa after the shock elimination of SuperSport United and Ajax Cape Town from the Champions League qualifiers this month.
The defeats by Ugandan and Zimbabwean clubs triggered a media outcry with Jerry Sikhosana, scorer of the goal that allowed Orlando Pirates to conquer Africa 14 years ago, labelling current South African footballers ”sissies”.
”They are too sensitive and not manly enough. I see this in their attitude when it comes to African competitions. They do not have the stomach to absorb pain in terms of conditions you are confronted with,” he said.
Pirates 1995 goalkeeper Williams Okpara added: ”There will be rats in the room. The fan will not work. In Africa the plan is always to frustrate opponents so that you are easy meat come match day.”
Dumitru coached Sundowns when they finished runners-up to Al-Ahly of Egypt in the 2001 African Champions League and says the reasons for South African failures in Africa are varied and complex.
He said most South Africans are exposed to international football too late, they ”freeze” when confronted by harsh African conditions, and many of their coaches put too much emphasis on lucrative domestic competitions.
Fixture congestion does not assist South African contenders with Sundowns travelling to KwaZulu-Natal for a Premiership fixture against lowly Thanda Royal Zulu four days before tackling V Club at Pretoria University.
And the Kinshasa club will be well informed about their opponents as South African coach Chris O’Loughlin signed a one-year contract with V Club after working as an assisant at Pirates.
Both clubs had comfortable passages to the third round of the second-tier African Football Confederation (CAF) club competition modelled on the European UEFA Cup.
Sundowns won home and away to finish 9-1 victors over Vacoas Phoenix of Mauritius, while V Club did likewise en route to a 6-1 triumph over Malanti Chiefs of Swaziland.
After easing past Al-Ahly Benghazi of Libya, Cup holders CS Sfaxien of Tunisia host JC Abidjan of Ivory Coast and should stay on course for a record third consecutive title.
A club who could pose a serious threat to Sfaxien in the latter stages is former African champions Entente Setif of Algeria, who slammed six goals past Khaleej Sirt of Libya without reply in the previous round.
Union Douala of Cameroon, the other side among the 16 survivors to have won a CAF competition, enjoy home advantage over Santos of Angola, who made an impressive African debut with home and away victories against USM of Gabon. — Sapa-AFP