Rayners predicts AS FAR’s approach in last CL group stage tie
Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners has predicted the game approach that will be used by Moroccan side AS FAR in their last CAF Champions League group stage match.
The two teams will face off on Sunday, 19 January, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane. Kickoff is at 3 PM.
In the reverse fixture played in Morocco in early December 2024, Sundowns and AS FAR shared the spoils after a 1-1 stalemate. Rayners: the Bafana Bafana forward opened the scoring for the visitors before the hosts levelled matters.
After five matches played in Group B, Masandawana are second with eight points. AS FAR, who have already qualified for the quarter-finals are sitting at the summit with nine points.
The other two teams that are in the group are Raja Casablanca of Morocco and DR Congo’s Maniema Union. Raja are third with five points, whilst Maniema occupy the bottom of the log with three points.
Heading into the encounter on Sunday, the Tshwane giants only need a point to seal their qualification to the quarter-finals. However, a victory will see them occupy the summit of the log with 11 points. This will help avoid facing stronger teams that finished at the top of their respective groups.
RAYNERS PREDICTS THAT AS FAR WILL PLAY A DEFENSIVE GAME AGAINST SUNDOWNS
The 29-year-old has predicted that AS FAR will approach the game by ‘parking the bus’- playing defensively to avoid defeat and stay at the top. Therefore, Rayners has urged his teammates to stick to their game and be patient.
“I think they will just sit back obviously because they want to finish top at the group,” Rayners told the club’s media department. “For us to finish top, we need to push ourselves; we need to win the game and score goals. That’s the spirit.
“They will come with a lot of confidence; they will fight and make it difficult for us. But we just have to be patient; being ourselves is what is going to help us win the game.”
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