Tiago Conde sends a brave message to his rivals Mamelodi Sundowns! | OneFootball

Tiago Conde sends a brave message to his rivals Mamelodi Sundowns!

Facing a seemingly insurmountable 5-1 deficit, the spirit in the Remo Stars camp is one of defiant optimism as they prepare for their CAF Champions League return leg against Mamelodi Sundowns. While the world expects a simple coronation for the South African side, coach Tiago Conde is weaving a different narrative, one of belief and tactical correction ahead of Sunday's clash at Loftus Versfeld.

The mission is clear, yet daunting: they must conquer by a margin of at least four goals to snatch a place in the group stage from the jaws of elimination. On paper, it appears to be an impossible mission, with Sundowns poised to complete a straightforward victory. Yet, Conde is refusing to surrender, boldly plotting one of the continent's most memorable upsets.

He frames the challenge not as a foregone conclusion, but as a process of refinement. “Of course, after the first leg, there was preparation for the second leg. What we prepared and want to do is what we tried to do in the first leg, some things that did not happen. Now we are trying to correct things and be more effective and balanced, what a Champions League game is like,” said Conde.

At the heart of his strategy is an unshakeable conviction, a necessary faith for such a monumental task. He questions the very point of their presence without it, stating, “If my players and I were not prepared or believe that we can win and score five goals and go to the group stage, there is no point in being here.”

This belief is coupled with a gritty determination to be a formidable opponent. “We trust and believe we can do it. Of course, it’s difficult, but we will be difficult as well for Mamelodi Sundowns for them to score another five goals," he asserts, reframing the pressure as a shared burden. He brings the challenge back to its most fundamental elements, concluding, “It’s difficult for both sides. It’s 11 against 11 for 90 minutes, we know it’s hard work.”

And so, against all odds, Remo Stars step onto the pitch, not as mere participants, but as believers in a miracle.