WYDAD ATHLETIC vs MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
Kickoff: 6 pm
Venue: Stade Mohamed V (Casablanca)
History will be made on Sunday evening in Casablanca, Morocco when Wydad Atletic Club faces Mamelodi Sundowns for the first-ever African Football League finals. It will be a repeat of the 2022/2023 CAF Champions League semi-finals when Wydad qualified for the finals via the away goal rule.
H2H
Wydad vs Sundowns has become a regular fixture in the last 7 seasons.
Twelve games have been played since 2017 between the two teams with Wydad having the edge with 4 wins compared to Wydad’s 3 wins and 5 draws. Sundowns are unbeaten in the last five games against Wydad.
WYDA ATHLETIC CLUB TEAM NEWS
Wyda Athletic has been awesome at home in the AFL; winning two home games vs Enyimba and Esperance, scoring four goals and conceding none. This shows how tough they are playing in front of their darling fans who always give them an advantage due to their immense supporting culture.
Adil Ramzi, 46, has won all his last 5 games at home after losing 0-2 to FUS Rabat in his debut as Wydad’s manager in the MD1 of the Moroccan Botolo League.
The former Moroccan international will try to put the Masandawana to the sword by capitalizing on their home form.
All his top players are available per reports from the Moroccan Giants camp.
Probable line up
4-3-3
El Motie (GK)
El Amloud, Attiyat Allah, Harkass, Aboufath
Jabrane, Draoui, Abdallah
Boussefiane, Lahtimi El, Bahri
Mamelodi Sundowns
Sundowns are doing pretty well concerning their travels to North Africa. Undefeated in their last 3 vs Al Ahly, won 4-1 against Belouizdad in Algeria in the Quarter-finals of the 2023/2024 CAF Champions League and they remain unbeaten in their last 5 games vs their opponent Wydad Athletic.
They are unbeaten in the season and are favourites to lift the maiden edition of the AFL.
Rulani Mokoena, 36, might miss the services of star men Lucas Costa and Peter Shalulile in their attack but still has enough men upfront. Argentine forward Junior Mendieta will miss the trip after picking up a straight red card in Cairo on Wednesday vs Al Ahly.
Probable Lineup
4-4-3
Ronwen Williams (GK)
Mudau, Boutouil, Kekena, Coetzee
Modiba, Mvala, Allende
Maseko, Zwane, Sirino
Prediction
A drawn game is very likely in Casablanca looking at how solid Wydad are at home. Sundowns are also a difficult team to break down and are high on confidence after eliminating the giants on the continent, Al Ahly.
1-1
