AS Maniema Union's Papy Kimoto reveals how Kaizer Chiefs inspired them against Mamelodi Sundowns - 'We can't play possession game with Downs'

Congolese outfit AS Maniema Union made their debut in the Caf Champions League this season.

After getting past the first and second preliminary rounds, the debutants were placed in a tough Group B that included defending Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Morocco champions Raja Casablanca, and their runners-up AS FAR Rabat.

The first test for Maniema was on Tuesday against 2023/24 semi-finalists Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

The Caf Champions League newbies defied the odds to get a point in Group B.

Coach Papy Kimoto has now revealed he watched how Kaizer Chiefs played against Sundowns and realised he can't employ a possession approach, but rather go with a defensive one.

“We made Sundowns play the way they played because we had more defensive football, we cannot play or try to play a possession game with Sundowns, they are better at that," he told the media.

“I saw some games against Kaizer Chiefs at the beginning of the league, they played the same way and I will say they played very well.

"We made them play that way of kind of attacking without not really getting to us because of having more defenders," Kimoto continued.

“I’m happy with the draw, it’s more than enough for us.”

Maniema will be aiming at getting their first win in the group on Saturday, December 7 at the Pentecostal Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Masandawana will be away against group leaders AS FAR Rabat who beat Raja Casablanca 2-0 in their initial game in the pool.