Wydad Atheltic Club head coach Adil Ramzi feels Mamelodi Sundowns have gained ‘experience’ in reference to the time-wasting in their African Football League triumph.
The visitors appeared incensed at full-time as the referee appeared to have signalled an extra five minutes to be added into extra-time, as Sundowns looked to run down the clock, holding a 3-2 aggregate lead at Loftus Versfeld.
In what could be seen as just desserts as part of the dark arts their illustrious opposition has perfected, it was a minor talking point in an otherwise flawless and attacking brand of football Sundowns displayed throughout the tournament.
“I said after the game in Casablanca, I saw football playing against football 100%, so I respect how they play but we know in football and the high level of football because the result is also important,” Ramzi said when asked about the time-wasting.
“But I don’t say [players] must be actors, I think Sundowns, they now have more experience than previous years. For us, I can analyse my team, I’m proud of them and we lost not because of organisation, it was more a physical problem.
“If we were fresher we’d have a better opportunity to get a result but okay – they deserve it, they won, we hope together we can try and give supporters a high level of football for Africa.”
Sundowns scooped a staggering R75-million for winning the inaugural eight-team AFL title, which saw them beat Petro de Luanda, Al Ahly and Wydad in two-legged ties.
