Photo Credit: Association Sportive des Forces Armées Royales - ASFAR
Morocco's AS FAR have an excellent opportunity to seize control of Group B in the CAF Champions League on Saturday when the Royal Army club hosts South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in El Jadida. Following a victory against Raja Casablanca in their opening match, AS FAR can put distance between themselves and one of the group favorites after Sundowns could only manage a point at home against AS Maniema Union.
AS FAR
DR Congo national team defender Henoc Inonga (left) is unavailable on Saturday
Photo Credit: Association Sportive des Forces Armées Royales - ASFAR
A disastrous start to the 2024-25 season saw the arrival current coach Hubert Velud in October and the Frenchman is beginning to steer the ship in the right direction. Last week's 2-0 Champions League victory over Raja marked the first time AS FAR scored more than a goal in a match since late September and they followed it up with a 3-0 victory in league play against Jeunesse Sportive Soualem. Velud showed plenty of respect for the opponent in pre-match comments and wants his team to find the balance of playing their game while accounting for the prolific Sundowns style of play.
A major blow for AS FAR is the injury of Congolese defender Henoc Inonga who will miss Saturday's clash due to a thigh strain. It also appears that goalkeeper Ayoub El Khayati, the penalty saving hero from the duel with Raja, will be out but Velud expressed confidence in his two experienced backups Hamza Hamiani (formerly of RS Berkane) and El Mehdi Benabid who deputized against JSS last weekend.
In the attack, Joël Beya, the Congolese striker signed from TP Mazembe, found the net for the first time since the beginning of the season versus JSS but has plenty of competition from Moroccan forwards Ahmed Hammoudan and Youssef El Fahli as well as Botswana national team forward Tumisang Orebonye. The midfield is more certain with playmaker Amine Zouhzouh and the more defensive Larbi Naji available.
Mamelodi Sundowns
Former Stellenbosch forward Iqraam Rayners looks set to start on Saturday after missing out in the Champions League opener
Photo Credit: Mamelodi Sundowns FC
A rare bad week for perpetual South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns saw Masandawana lose the Carling Knockout Cup final to Magesi FC before being held to a 0-0 draw at home by DR Congo's AS Maniema Union in their Group B opener. Sundowns returned to winning ways last weekend with a victory over Sekhukhune United but coach Manqoba Mngqithi is not allowing complacency to overcome his team. "We were a bit sloppy," said Mngqithi despite the 3-0 domestic league victory.
Sundowns count on their swift fullbacks, Aubrey Modiba (left) and Khuliso Mudau (right) to contribute on both ends of the pitch and they offer a significant advantage with Thapelo Morena also an option on the right flank. Central midfielder Teboho Mokoena should return to the eleven to join creative Chilean midfielder Marcelo Allende.
Grant Kekana should be in the heart of the defense, perhaps with rising youngster Malibongwe Khoza after Mngqithi reserved special praise for the 20-year-old following the Sekhukhune match. The gaffer also hinted that Iqraam Rayners may receive another start up top with either the legendary Peter Shalulile or high priced Brazilian signing Arthur Sales with another Brazilian, Lucas Ribeiro, as the creative force sitting behind the attacking line.
Comentarios