CAF CL Finals: Mamelodi Sundowns reduced before facing AS FAR

Mamelodi Sundowns diminished before playing AS FAR
Mamelodi Sundowns has a fire attack played by Colombian Brayan León. But defensively, the South African team is fragile. She conceded 7 goals in the last two games played. Facing AS FAR, the team will be deprived of a few leaders in the defensive sector between injuries and suspensions. Grant Kekana is out for the first leg. As for Keanu Cupido, he remains uncertain, although he resumed collective training last Thursday. 

Mamelodi Sundowns is very comfortable against Moroccan home clubs. In its lair, the South Africans remained undefeated during their last 8 matches against the Moroccan teams. Miguel Cardoso’s men can rely on this statistic to achieve an interesting result in the first leg before the trip to Morocco, on 24 May. 

If Miguel Cardoso recognizes the high level of AS FAR, he remains optimistic about the history of his club, already winner of the CAF Champions League in 2016.

«The match will be extremely difficult, with my team facing one of the most important clubs on the continent in the last decade. But, we have proven our power thanks to the many titles won on the national and continental scenes, while having infrastructures and high quality players.” 

 said the Portuguese coach in a pre-match press conference.

Runner-up last season, beaten by Pyramids FC, Mamelodi Sundowns are aiming for a second CAF Champions League title in their history. This season, the South African team has a record of 6 wins, 3 draws and only one defeat after 10 games in the African competition.

 AS FAR, a defensive block difficult to move
It will be a real opposition of styles. Mamelodi Sundowns with his offensive football against AS FAR, a true defensive fortress. Alexandre Santos, the coach, was able to instill this defensive culture in his players. In 10 CAF Champions League matches this season, the Moroccan club conceded only 5 goals. 

Despite this strength on the defensive side, the AS FAR was less successful in moving. In 5 away games, Alexandre Santos’s men have won only once. The full balance sheet is two defeats, two draws and a single victory. We’ll have to rectify the situation against Mamelodi Sundowns, who are difficult to beat in his lair in Pretoria. 

AS FAR have been running behind a new CAF Champions League trophy for 41 years. The only victory in C1 was in 1985. The team intends to make history by winning this season’s trophy. Alexandre Santos showed his players the way to victory.

"The most important thing is to show a collective spirit and the mental strength that this type of big event requires. Our group is now strong, united and totally ready for this challenge. The field remains the true judge and the place where we must translate our work and ambitions into concrete reality.” 

 AS FAR coach reported at a press conference on Friday.

In the CAF Champions League this season, AS FAR has a record of 4 wins, 4 draws and 2 defeats after 10 outings.