Mamelodi Sundowns warned against hostile AS FAR fans – ‘Extremely intimidating’

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Mamelodi Sundowns warned against hostile AS FAR fans – ‘Extremely intimidating’
Brayal Leon of Mamelodi Sundowns in action against AS FAR. Image: AS FAR

‎Raja Casablanca coach Fadlu Davids has warned Mamelodi Sundowns about the dangers that AS FAR Rabat possess.

‎Sundowns and AS FAR will clash in the CAF Champions League final second leg in Rabat on Sunday with the Brazilians holding a 1-0 first leg advantage.

‎Coach Miguel Cardoso has already said his team will not go to Morocco to defend and Davids says Sundowns must be ready for a tough encounter.

Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrate Aubrey Modiba's goal against AS FAR.
Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrate Aubrey Modiba’s goal against AS FAR. Photo: CAF

‎“I think they are an experienced team that has played together for a long time,” Davids told iDiski Times on AS FAR’s qualities.

Davids explains the qualities of AS FAR

‎“Yes, their coach joined them only at the beginning of last season, I think, but the players were together before that.

‎“We competed with them for the league when we won the double [two seasons ago]. They were on top of the log the whole season, and we came to win it – we went on top with two matches left.

AS FAR vs Mamelodi Sundowns.
AS FAR vs Mamelodi Sundowns. Image: Mamelodi Sundowns

‎“That was the season when [Nasreddine] Nabi was the coach. They’ve had that same team last season, and they’ve got the same team this season. They’ve made even some better signings to add on top. They are a well-structured team.”

‎Davids, whose team is in a tight title race with AS FAR, then explained one more thing that Sundowns could struggle with in Morocco, the crowd.

Yunis Abdelhamid of AS FAR heads the ball while playing against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Yunis Abdelhamid of AS FAR heads the ball while playing against Mamelodi Sundowns. Image: AS FAR

Sundowns up against hostile crowd

‎AS FAR sold out the nearly 70,000 Prince Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah last week and are counting on the intimidating atmosphere from their fans to give them an extra push.

‎“It’s not going to be easy for Sundowns just to walk over them. But I think away from home, Sundowns will just have to manage the results because playing here in front of their fans is very intimidating. They can be loud,” he added.

AS FAR fans
AS FAR fans. Photo: AS FAR

‎“They can make it a very hostile situation. Playing in their home ground, in front of their fans, can be extremely hostile, extremely intimidating for the players.”

‎After seeing their travel plans disrupted on Tuesday, Sundowns finally got cleared to travel to Morocco on Wednesday and will hope to acclimatise just in time for the big game.

Sundowns are looking for their second Champions League title, 10 years since their first, while the Moroccan side are eyeing their first.

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<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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