It will rank as an upset of monumental proportions if Mamelodi Sundowns fail to reach the CAF Champions League quarter-finals this season.
Sundowns host Moroccan hotshots AS FAR Rabat on Sunday at Loftus Versfeld (6pm kick-off) in their final Group B match, and need a point to secure play-off qualification.
AS FAR are the group leaders with nine points, which was enough to give them the green light into the next round.
Sundowns are in second place with eight points, and win or a draw will be enough to see them join AS FAR in the quarters.
In the other remaining Group B match, Moroccans Raja Casablanca, with five points, are in third place.
The outcome of their encounter against the DR Congo’s Maniema Union will be of no consequence if Sundowns win or draw, because the South Africans would be in an assailable position.
However, the Brazilians’ form has been iffy this season, and last week they scraped home 2-1 against Maniema Union, thanks to the rescue efforts of super-sub Peter Shalulile.
The previous week, Sundowns suffered a 1-0 defeat to Raja.
It may be a stroke of good luck for Masandawana, because AS FAR will be without their coach Hubert Velud, who recently had an operation.
However, last week he led the team to a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Moroccan rivals Raja on Saturday, which helped them to reach the last eight.
It is the first time FAR have reached the quarter-finals since CAF introduced the group phase.
FAR won the Champions League and the Confederation Cup in the days before these two continental competitions had group-phase play.
When the Moroccans flew out to South Africa yesterday, Velud said his team were good enough to win the title.
“We have all the capabilities to compete for this title. This team is very good. We achieved what was required, and the qualification is fair and deserved,” said Velud.
“For everyone in the club, it is a historic moment, with special feelings. The club’s fans are happy, and we will celebrate with them.”
Larbi Naji, the side’s star defensive midfielder, shares the confidence of coach Velud.
“After achieving the most important thing, which is the qualification, the next challenge is to return from South Africa with a result that supports our lead,” said Naji, who will be rooting for fellow North Africans Raja Casablanca in the other Group B clash.
“Raja has chances to qualify, and I hope that they will fight. We will face Sundowns to stay in the lead, because that serves our interests for the rest of the journey.”
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso understands the demand to challenge for the Champions League title, and will hope to work his magic once more, as he did last season in reaching the final with Tunisian outfit Esperance.
He has been given a star-studded squad at Masandawana, with an excellent support staff. He knows he cannot fail because of Sundowns’ high demands.
Cardoso knows what is on the line in Sunday’s final group match, because last season he was in a similar position when he coached Esperance.
He eliminated Sundowns from the Champions League, with two wins over the South Africans in the play-offs, but Esperance lost 1-0 on aggregate to Al Ahly in the two-legged title decider. | Independent Media Sport