Mamelodi Sundowns‘ travel plans to Morocco have been thrown into disarray after the club was unable to depart from OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday.
The Brazilians were scheduled to fly to Rabat today ahead of their crucial CAF Champions League final second leg against ASFAR on Sunday, but complications relating to a landing permit in Morocco prevented their chartered flight from departing as planned.
After spending several hours at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday morning, Sundowns players and staff were forced to return home, with officials now working around the clock to ensure their chartered flight departs on Wednesday morning.
The development has drawn allegations of gamesmanship directed at the Moroccans, as the delay means Downs will have less time to adjust to conditions in Rabat.
According to a report in SABS Sport, the matter is expected to be resolved within 24 hours, with the squad set to depart on Wednesday instead. The travel setback has effectively cost Sundowns a full day of preparation ahead of the decisive encounter.
Masandawana head into the second leg with a narrow advantage, after a lone goal by defender Aubrey Modiba secured a 1-0 victory in Pretoria on Sunday in a match marred by crowd violence and a malfunctioning VAR system.
Coach Miguel Cardoso had already stressed the importance of rest and recovery following the physically demanding first leg, with the club’s medical team working around the clock to manage several key players ahead of the trip to North Africa.
The second leg is scheduled for Sunday in Rabat.
Did you know that the iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is completely free! Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.