Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners has set the tone for his side’s upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Champions League showdown against Morocco’s AS FAR. The two sides are set to meet on Sunday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in a vital clash that could determine the top spot in Group B.
With Sundowns currently sitting in second place with eight points from five matches, just one point behind AS FAR, the match promises to be an intense battle with high stakes, especially with Raja Casablanca harbouring feint hopes of an upset.
Rayners, who found the back of the net for Sundowns in the first leg against AS FAR, believes that his team must stay focused and stick to their game plan if they are to secure a victory. He is expecting a tough contest, especially given the confidence that AS FAR will bring to the game after a strong campaign so far.
“Yeah, they will come with a lot of confidence. They will fight, they will make it difficult for us, but we just have to be patient and be ourselves, and that’s what will make us win the game,” Rayners said ahead of the encounter.
AS FAR is likely to adopt a cautious approach, sitting back and looking to control the game as they aim to finish top of the group. However, Sundowns are determined to put pressure on their opponents and seize the opportunity to finish at the top of the standings themselves.
“I just think they will sit back obviously because they want to finish top in the group, but for us to finish top [of the table] we need to push ourselves. We need to win the game, score goals and that’s the spirit,” Rayners added, reflecting his side’s mentality going into the crucial encounter.
-Sundowns have already proved themselves as one of the continent’s top teams, but they will need to show their full strength and tactical discipline to ensure qualification for the knockout stages.
A win on Sunday would see the Brazilians leapfrog AS FAR to the top of Group B, while a draw would be enough to see them progress to the next round.
The team’s focus remains clear: remain patient, stick to the game plan, and execute with precision. With the pressure mounting and the stakes high, Sundowns will be determined to showcase their quality and make a statement on home soil.
The match is set to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams vying for top spot in the group and a place in the next stage of Africa’s premier club competition.
Fans can expect an exciting clash as Sundowns look to keep their hopes alive and push towards securing their second continental title since their maiden triumph in 2016.
