Published:
Saturday, 18 January 2025
The group stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League officially draws to a close this weekend, with only two places to be decided to complete the eight clubs to compete in the knockout stages.
A lot remains at stake for the clubs who have secured passage into the next round, with the aim of finishing top of the group to get a favourable draw.
This is what some of the coaches and players had to say ahead of their fixtures:
Mamelodi Sundowns vs AS FAR
Jamil Benouahi – AS FAR Assistant Coach
“From our side we are already in the quarter-final and if there is any kind of pressure, it’s on Mamelodi Sundowns but we know very well how great this team is and how big it is. We know what they have done for the last ten years in Africa. We are coming into this encounter with the same ambition we had at the beginning of this campaign. We start first on the group and we are aiming to finish first on the group.”
Tumisang Orebonye – AS FAR Player
-“We are coming into the game knowing that Sundowns is a very good club, they have shown in the last years that they are a good club and as AS FAR players, we have come here with positive minds to want to finish as leaders of the group. We know that it is going to be difficult but we have to execute what we have been doing at training.”
Miguel Cardoso – Mamelodi Sundowns Coach
“Obviously a tremendous match, a match that everybody wants to play. We worked very well during the week – something we have not been able to do because of a tight game schedule. We tried to prepare ourselves in the best way, recover the players in the best way and get the best condition as possible to face the game in terms of physical condition, tactical approach and strategical approach of the game.”
“Everything is on the table and its now time for the last details to come to the game with the energy so we can get the results that will make us go through the group stages.”
Mosa Lebusa – Mamelodi Sundowns Player
“As Mamelodi Sundowns players, we are very excited and we know the type of game and what it means for us to take the team to the next round and everyone is ready and has been working hard and that will be displayed tomorrow”.
Morocco
