Mamelodi Sundowns manager Pitso Mosimane has described Ghanaian midfielder Malik Akowuah as the engine room of Medeama SC, following his display in the first leg of the Caf Confederation Cup playoffs on Saturday in Pretoria, South Africa.

Sundowns recovered from an early shock to eventually claim a 3-1 victory over the Yellow and Mauves, with the Brazilians’ coach depicting Akowuah as a dangerous player.

“Medeama are a typical Ghanaian team, very technical and build up their play from the back. They have a player [Akowuah] wearing number five jersey, a central midfielder. He is the man who makes them play, switches the ball left and right and terrific from set-pieces,” Mosimane was quoted as saying by Medeamasc.com.

“Their wingers play a little bit narrow to create space for the full-backs, a typical Ghanaian play,” he added.

Mosimane also believes his charges must follow every ball in the return leg to prevent Medeama from having empty spaces to operate.

“We have to make sure we recover the ball as quickly as possible because they have players who move with the ball. They don’t kick and fight, they play good football,” he said.

Medeama will host Sundowns in the second leg on May 18 at the Essipong Stadium in Sekondi and will need two unanswered goals to qualify to the group stage of the competition.