Mamelodi Sundowns, the reigning champions, have encountered significant setbacks in their preparations for the highly anticipated second leg of the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR. The team, expected to travel to Morocco for the decisive match, found themselves unexpectedly grounded in South Africa due to a lack of a crucial landing permit from Moroccan aviation authorities. This unfortunate situation has resulted in the loss of an entire day of training, leaving the players with limited time to acclimatize to the conditions in Rabat ahead of the pivotal encounter scheduled for Sunday.
The controversy surrounding this incident has sparked allegations of gamesmanship from the Moroccan side, who may be benefiting from Sundowns' disrupted schedule. The South African team heads into the second leg with a narrow advantage, having secured a 1-0 victory in Pretoria, thanks to a remarkable goal from defender Aubrey Modiba. However, that match was overshadowed by incidents of crowd violence and technical difficulties with the VAR system, which marred the overall experience for players and fans alike.
After spending several hours at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday morning, the Sundowns squad was compelled to return home. Club officials are now working tirelessly to ensure that a chartered flight departs on Wednesday morning, allowing the team to arrive in Morocco in time for the crucial match. As the countdown to the final continues, all eyes will be on how this disruption affects Sundowns' performance and strategy in their quest for continental glory.
As reported by sowetan.co.za.
