Raja Club Athletic coach Fadlu Davids has sent a warning to Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of their second leg CAF Champions League final tie this coming weekend against ASFAR.
The first leg took place at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday where the home side have a 1-0 advantage and the deciding leg away next weekend in Rabat. This is Sundowns’ second appearances in the final in two straight seasons while the Moroccans have not played at this stage since 1986.
Davids’ side and ASFAR are neck-and-neck in the Botola Pro League table, the Champions League finalists in second with 40 points and Raja in third with 39 points both from 20 matches.
He spoke to iDiski Times senior writer Matshelane Mamabolo in edition 255 of the newspaper where he acknowledged Sundowns quality and experience.
The former Simba SC coach also warned of the hostile environment that awaits Miguel Cardoso and his charges in Rabat.
“I think they are an experienced team that has played together for a long time,” Davids told IDiski Times.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
(Image credit: Raja AC Facebook)
You can read Davids’ full interview with Mamabolo in edition 255 when you subscribe to IDiski Times media WhatsApp number for FREE.