Mamelodi Sundowns' Jayden Adams.
Image: Backpagepix
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams believes it would have suited his side better to host the second leg of the CAF Champions League final in Pretoria rather than play it away in Rabat.
Sundowns will welcome AS FAR to Loftus Versfeld in the first leg on Sunday (4pm kick-off). With the away-goal rule still applicable in the competition, keeping a clean sheet at home could prove crucial for the Brazilians.
Sundowns have struggled defensively in recent matches, with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams conceding seven goals in the last two games, including the 3-2 defeat against TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership that all but handed the title advantage to Orlando Pirates.
The return leg of the final is scheduled for May 24 in Rabat, meaning Sundowns will be eager to travel with at least a narrow advantage and, ideally, a clean sheet from the first encounter.
The Brazilians endured heartbreak in last season’s final after drawing 1-1 at home against Pyramids FC in the first leg before losing 2-1 away in Cairo, going down 3-2 on aggregate.
“Personally, I don’t think it’s ideal,” Adams said about playing the second leg away from home. “I wanted us to lift the trophy here. Last season we went away and lost, and that was very disappointing.”
Sundowns last lifted the continental crown 10 years ago when they beat Zamalek SC 3-0 at home before losing 1-0 in Cairo, still securing a 3-1 aggregate victory.
Despite that success, Adams admitted he would have preferred the decisive leg to be played in South Africa.
“I think in 2026 the second leg was also away. So, three times South African teams have had to play the second leg away from home,” Adams said. “But there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Sundowns have played the second leg away in their last three CAF finals because of the draw conducted earlier in the knockout stages, meaning the scheduling was beyond the organisers’ control.
As such, the Brazilians simply need to replicate the class of the 2016 side – build a convincing advantage in the first leg on Sunday and finish the job in Rabat.