A fixture featuring two of the top teams in Africa is coming up when Mamelodi Sundowns visit Wydad Casablanca in Morocco in another exciting display of good football in 1 of 2 legs of the African Football League final. Football fans will get a first glance of some of the biggest football names in Africa when they engage in a battle for the bragging rights in what will be a curtain closer at the first instalment of the inaugural African Football League.
“The preparations have gone well. We are looking forward to a very interesting encounter against a very good side with a very good coach. We are also looking forward to our first continental final since 2019,” said Coach Rulani Mokwena.
Last time out, Bafana Ba Style earned a 1-0 victory against Egypt’s Al Ahly, while their counterparts beat ES Tunis 5-4 in penalties, to earn the two spots in the final respectively. The last time the two sides met, the encounter ended in a 2-2 draw, seeing Wydad of the Nation advancing to the CAF Champions League final.
“Wydad are an experienced side especially on the African continent. You will know that this is their third continental final in the last three seasons. They’ve played the last two Champions League finals and they are now playing the AFL final. This is more or less the same team, apart from the fact that there’s a different coach who comes with different ideas. They are a good team that we have done a lot of homework on. Now is for us to be on the pitch and perform,” Coach Rulani stated.
“Last year we came here and played one of the semi-finals. One of the most important things we had to deal with apart from the pitch and the tactics on the pitch was what you’d call the 12th man, which was the influence of the crowd that was very vibrant and supportive. I think the moment Sundowns left the pitch we won a lot of hearts. Not only because of how our players behave on and off the pitch, but also because of the type of football we displayed,” he continued.
The Brazilians’ head coach concluded by stating that he hopes that his troops finish the last two AFL matches without any of the players receiving marching orders. Furthermore, he is looking forward to what will be a mouthwatering battle of the AFL title.
“We try to be the Sundowns that we can recognise because we are built to play football a certain way as a team, but we have also shown that we are a team that can absorb pressure and suffer together. There will be moments where we are going to have to suffer but hopefully, we suffer with eleven men this time. It will be a very interesting game with two very good teams that have styles that are not far apart.”
Boutouil must not play in the next match, his commitment in today’s match was questionable, he allowed wydad to attack us from his side a lot and also resulting from their first goal. He allowed them enough space and committed a lot of mistakes, just watch that match again and check if he was serious.