Weight of lofty expectations will weigh heavily on Mngqithi’s shoulders

As Mamelodi Sundowns play their first CAF Champions League group stage away match this season, the weight of lofty expectations will weigh heavier than ever on the shoulders of coach Manqoba Mngqithi.

Sundowns will play Morocco’s FAR Rabat on Saturday night in their second Group C match at Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium. The Moroccans have tried to play the game at Stade d'Honneur instead because of greater support. However, CAF has refused the request.

Last season, Tunisian giants Esperance defeated Sundowns in the CAF Champions League's semi-finals. That result effectively signed the death warrant of Rhulani Mokwena, who later parted ways with the Chloorkop club, although he had a contract which ran until 2027.

The club have placed a huge emphasis on the Champions League and has provided the technical staff with a large squad, boasting depth in all positions. Off the field, the support has been superb and that was in evidence this week, when Sundowns were already in Morocco on Wednesday, ahead of Saturday's match.

Hardly ever do SA teams have the luxury of arriving four days ahead of a match in CAF competitions, but Sundowns have done well to ease the way to African destinations for away matches.

Last week, Sundowns were held to a goalless draw in Pretoria against the visiting Democratic Republic of the Congo side AS Maniema Union. It was a disappointing result, given Sundowns' possession dominance which stood at 77%, and the Chloorkop bigwigs would not have been pleased with that result.

Sundowns will have a far tougher assignment this time because FAR Rabat is on a high. Last week, FAR Rabat stunned Raja Casablanca with a 2-0 victory in a fiery Moroccan CAF Champions League derby at the Stade Larbi Zaouli. It was a great start for the Moroccans, and they will be looking to build on that result against the South Africans, although they could be doing so without a coach on their bench again.

Since the departure of Tunisian manager Nasreddine Nabi to Kaizer Chiefs in July, FAR Rabat appointed former national Poland coach Czesław Michniewicz but a few defeats later, he was replaced by Frenchman Hubert Velud, the former Burkina Faso national football team coach.

Last week he could not sit on the team bench because CAF had not yet verified his coaching licence and by Thursday he was still waiting for news.

Mngqithi knows what to expect from the Moroccans, who have a great appetite for the game.

"They possess different energies when they are away and at home. At home, they are highly motivated, sometimes probably ultra-motivated. They come at you to get goals. Away from home, they can be like supporters," said Mngqithi.

"They are usually very timid and sit back. They want to look for opportunities for counterattacks. It is important to understand the dynamics of how we should approach this game. I have been following them to try and see what they possess. It is going to be an interesting match."

Mngqithi will rely heavily on his 'Foreign Legion' stars Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro and Chilean Marcelo Allende to lay the foundation for a match-winning performance.