Mamelodi Sundowns have finally secured a landing permit in Morocco, clearing the way for their travel ahead of Sunday’s crucial second-leg final in the CAF Champions League against Moroccan giants AS FAR.
The Brazilians departed from OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday morning despite initially not having the required clearance to land in Rabat.
Received necessary documentation
The team travelled via Libreville, Gabon, where their chartered flight was scheduled to refuel while club officials awaited confirmation on the outstanding permit.
Senior Mamelodi Sundowns administrator Yugesh Singh confirmed to the SABC that the club finally received the necessary documentation just 45 minutes before landing in Libreville, avoiding a potentially major logistical setback.
Mamelodi Sundowns arrived in Rabat at around 23:00 local time on Wednesday, before making the roughly 90-minute journey to their base camp as preparations intensify for one of the biggest matches in the club’s history.
Hold slender lead
The Pretoria giants head into the decisive clash holding a slender 1-0 aggregate advantage, giving coach Miguel Cardoso’s side a narrow edge as they chase a second African crown.
The highly anticipated final will be played on Sunday, 24 May, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 (SA time).
Mamelodi Sundowns will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last season’s heartbreak, when they fell short in the final, and instead complete the job away from home to reclaim continental glory.
Double success?
Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns could celebrate double success this weekend if they win the CAF Champions League and Orlando Pirates fail to beat Orbit College in their final Betway Premiership fixture on Saturday, 23 May.
Such a scenario would hand Masandawana a ninth successive Betway Premiership title.
