Sundowns eye CAFCL QF spot with AS FAR win
01/18/2025 08:00 AM
Mamelodi Sundowns will be determined to book their spot in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals with a win over AS FAR Rabat on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 6:00 pm CAT.
The final Group B match is scheduled to be played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 venue Loftus Versfeld Stadium in South Africa’s administrative capital, Pretoria.
Masandawana got their Group B campaign back on track when they secured a 2-1 win over AS Maniema Union away on January 11. Prior to that, Raja Casablanca had ended their seven-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
Sundowns are placed second in the group standings having collected eight points from five matches. They are a point behind leaders, AS FAR and three points clear of third-placed Raja with the South African champions needing just a point to book their spot in the quarter-finals.
Sundowns will welcome back Khuliso Mudau and Bathusi Aubaas from suspension, but Themba Zwane, Siyabonga Mabena, Rivaldo Coetzee, Mothobi Mvala and Aubrey Modiba are on the club’s injury list.
Meanwhile, AS FAR maintained their unbeaten record in Group B when they drew 1-1 with Raja at home on 11 January and they are undefeated in their last 11 matches across all competitions having registered five draws and six wins.
The Militarians are sitting at the top of the group standings having accumulated nine points from five matches. They have already booked their spot in the quarter-finals and a win over Sundowns would see the Moroccan side finish at the top of the group standings.
AS FAR, on the other hand, are expected to be without their head coach Hubert Velud who recently underwent successful surgery to repair his Achilles Heels while midfielder Narbi Naji is suspended and defender Hatim Essaouab is out injured.
This will be the second competitive meeting between Sundowns and AS FAR.
Their first-ever meeting ended in a 1-1 draw in a Champions League Group B clash on 7 December in El Jadida, Morocco.
