Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Nuno Santos has weighed in on their recent glaring defensive frailties as they prepare for the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR Rabat.
The Brazilians host the Moroccan side in the first leg of the final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday. They will then visit AS FAR for the return leg to be staged at Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium seven days later.
Since clinching their maiden Champions League title in 2016, Sundowns have been chasing, without success, this trophy over the years. Their most stinging agony was arguably felt last season when they lost the final to Pyramids FC.
Miguel Cardoso and his men now return for another attempt at Africa’s ultimate club football prize, and they face opponents who also want to end a 41-year wait for this continental crown. But going into Sunday’s match, Masandawana have backline concerns that have come to the fore in recent matches.
After going for three games without conceding, they were breached in the 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs. It worsened when they shipped in four goals in the 7-4 victory over Siwelele FC.
Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat by TS Galaxy had alarm bells about a shaky defence ringing louder, and Santos cannot escape discussing that, heading into the Champions League final. It is a situation that AS FAR might be plotting to exploit on Sunday.
NUNO SANTOS AVOIDS THE BLAME GAME FOR LEAKY DEFENCE
“Obviously, that’s one of the points that we have to be better. That’s not blaming an individual or two. No,” said Nuno Santos.
“That’s a problem for the whole team because in the front, if we can do better to help the team on the defensive part, we have to do better as well. That’s a point we have to review as well with the coaches and improve on what was not too good in the previous matches.”
Further complicating matters for the Brazilians is that they will be without centre-back Grant Kekana, who is suspended for a second match after a review of his red card from the first leg of the semi-final against Esperance.
Keanu Cupido and Mothobi Mvala are injury doubts, which leaves Cardoso with Khulumani Ndamane, Kegan Johannes and Malibongwe Khoza as his options in central defence.
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