Al-Merrikh head coach Lee Clark says their defeat to Al Ahly shows the quality of the Mamelodi Sundowns squad this season.
Clark looks set to leave the club for a second time following their group stage elimination after the 3-1 defeat at the hands of the reigning champions.
This, despite Merrikh being in the ‘Group of Death’ alongside Ahly, Sundowns and their fierce rivals Al Hilal but after the game, he heaped praise not only on Sundowns but the Red Devils boss Pitso Mosimane too.
“This was a difficult game and it show the quality of Sundowns also, even though I got criticised for our opening result when we drew 0-0, but they are one of the big, big teams in African football,” Clarke said in his post-match press conference on Friday evening.
“Of course, Ahly are a superpower because they are the current champions of the Champions League and the third-best club in the world after the Club World Cup and it’s always difficult.
“They have some fantastic players and an amazing coach, not just an amazing coach, he’s a great guy. We always knew it was tough but my teams in both games have shown courage and fight. With a bit more luck and not making some difficult decision who could have got something from the game.”
The Newcastle legend has coached the likes of Huddersfield Town and Birmingham before his bold foray into Sudan.
