Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi is bracing for an exciting encounter when his side faces AS FAR of Morocco in their upcoming CAF Champions League clash. Sundowns, who travel to Rabat for the match on Saturday, will take on AS FAR at the El Abdi Stadium in a fixture that promises to be a captivating contest. The match is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 local time.
Mngqithi has expressed his respect for AS FAR, describing them as a formidable team, particularly strong on home soil.
The Moroccan side’s recent performances in Botola Pro 1, where they have been consistently competitive for the past three seasons, have added to their reputation as one of the top clubs in Africa.
The coach highlighted the tough challenge that lies ahead for Sundowns, especially following AS FAR’s impressive 2-0 win over Raja Club Athletic in their group opener.
“We are expecting an exciting game,” Mngqithi said, acknowledging the strength of their opponents. “AS FAR is a very good team, especially when they are playing at home.
They have been performing excellently in their domestic league for the past few seasons, and it will be interesting to see how they approach this match.”
Sundowns, nicknamed the ‘Brazilians’, opened their group stage campaign with a 0-0 draw against AS Maniema at home, a result that leaves them in second place in Group B with one point.
Despite the draw, Mngqithi is confident in his team’s preparations and approach for away games against North African sides, who are known for their attacking style, particularly in front of their home crowd.
“We know that North African teams, especially at home, tend to play more aggressively and go on the attack,” Mngqithi explained. “Away from home, they often prefer to play on the counter.
We are ready for that style and have a strategy in place to deal with it.”
As the competition intensifies, Mngqithi is already looking ahead to Sundowns’ final match of the year in the Champions League, which will see them face Raja at Loftus Stadium.
With AS FAR currently sitting atop Group B with three points, Sundowns will be keen to secure a positive result in Rabat to bolster their chances of advancing to the knockout stages.
