Wyad and Sundowns players in action: Image via Facebook @ Wydad Athletic Club-WAC
Why Sundowns away goal worries Wydad coach
Wydad Casablanca’s coach has revealed his biggest fear despite having defeated Mamelodi Sundowns over the weekend.
Wyad and Sundowns players in action: Image via Facebook @ Wydad Athletic Club-WAC
Wydad Casablanca coach Abderrahim Talib has rued the goal which Mamelodi Sundowns scored in Sunday’s African Football League (AFL) final.
Talib told Morocco’s Koora.com that Wydad should have avoided conceding in the AFL final first-leg match. Wydad scored in either half at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca in between Sundowns’ vital away goal.
Why Wydad coach feels his side should have done better
“Wydad took the lead in the first-half, but we felt that we retreated at the beginning of the second-half,” Talib is quoted saying.
ALSO READ: Sundowns coach questions decision for Wydad
“This gave the opposing team the opportunity to put pressure on us for eight minutes. Also, the defensive formation in front of goal was sometimes random. This allowed Sundowns to equalise from a penalty kick.”
Pressure will be on which team in the reverse match?
Talib, nonetheless, believes the pressure will be on Masandawana in the second leg encounter. The reverse fixture will take place at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on November 12 2023. The overall winner will get the inaugural AFL trophy.
ALSO READ: Wydad hold a narrow advantage in the final over Sundowns
“The result confirms the strength of Wydad’s character and focus of the players. However, the team missed opportunities to score the third goal,” the Wydad coach is quoted saying.
“Wydad must keep in mind that it won the first leg [only], and travel to South Africa with enthusiasm and confidence. The team has a good chance of winning the cup because pressure will be on Sundowns.”
How Sundowns can win the return match
On the other hand, Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena and his charges would fancy their chances of winning the AFL title.
The Tshwane giants can win the title with just a 1-0 victory. It is all thanks to the away goal which Sundowns scored in Casablanca.
ALSO READ:VIDEO: Mamelodi Sundowns honoured by Wydad fans!
During the match, Wydad took the lead with five minutes to break, courtesy of Rivaldo Coetzee’s own goal while trying to clear a low shot from the right.
How the first leg panned out
However, the DStv Premiership champions hit back in the second-half. Moroccan defender Abdel Moneim converted from the penalty spot in the 74th minute after Wydad’s handball.
ALSO READ: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Wydad Casablanca: LIVE STREAM
Four minutes later, Wydad restored their lead when substitute Anas Serrhat volleyed the ball into the roof of the net. A defender for Sundowns defender had cleared the ball poorly for Serrhat to score.
To reach the two-legged final, Sundowns saw off Al Ahly in the semifinal.
The Moroccan side, on the other hand, beat Tunisian team, Esperance, in the last-four stage.
