Coach Santos believes mentality and discipline can carry AS FAR past Sundowns

AS FAR coach Alexandre Santos believes mental strength, discipline and collective belief could be the keys to unsettling Mamelodi Sundowns when the Moroccan giants face the South Africans in Sunday’s first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final in Pretoria.

While Sundowns enter the showdown as favourites after years of continental consistency, Santos insists the final will not be decided in South Africa alone, warning that the battle for Africa’s biggest club prize will ultimately be settled over two fiercely contested matches.

The Portuguese tactician, who took charge of AS FAR earlier this year, has transformed the Rabat-based side into one of the competition’s most disciplined and resilient teams. Now he stands one step away from guiding the club to its first African crown since 1985.

“The final is not just one match, but two,” Santos told reporters in Pretoria ahead of the encounter.

“The Royal Army always plays to win. We know we are facing one of the most important clubs on the continent over the last decade, but we came here believing in ourselves and in our ability.”

AS FAR arrive in South Africa carrying the hopes of Moroccan football after an impressive campaign that saw them eliminate fellow Moroccan side RS Berkane in the semi-finals to reach their first CAF Champions League final in the modern era.

Santos admitted the scale of the challenge awaiting his side at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, where Sundowns have established one of the strongest home records in African football.

The South African champions are unbeaten at home in the CAF Champions League over the last two seasons and are appearing in their second consecutive final after narrowly missing out on the title last year.

Yet Santos believes his team’s unity and mentality can help neutralise Sundowns’ experience and attacking power.

“The most important thing is to show team spirit and the mental strength required for this type of major event,” he said.

“Our group is strong, united and fully prepared for this challenge.”

The former Petro de Luanda coach also highlighted the significance of AS FAR’s history, reminding observers that the club remains one of the continent’s historic heavyweights despite their long absence from the final.

“No coach can speak about AS FAR without recalling the historical importance of this prestigious club,” Santos added.

“It was the first Moroccan club to win the African title in 1985.”

For Santos personally, the final carries additional significance. The Portuguese coach is hoping to follow in the footsteps of legendary compatriot Manuel José, who enjoyed enormous success with Al Ahly SC and became one of the most celebrated foreign coaches in African football history.

“I hope to become the second Portuguese coach to win this continental trophy,” Santos said.

AS FAR goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti echoed his coach’s confidence, insisting the Moroccan side travelled to Pretoria determined to return home with a positive result before the decisive second leg in Rabat next weekend.

“We are well prepared for this final and we came here to achieve a positive result,” Tagnaouti said.

“We want to return to Rabat with a good result and, God willing, win the title there.”

The experienced goalkeeper also praised the support of AS FAR fans, many of whom are expected to travel to South Africa while thousands more prepare to back the team from Morocco.

Santos acknowledged that the atmosphere in Pretoria could be intimidating, but insisted his players must remain calm and focused throughout the contest.

“There is the power and influence of the fans, and we know the stadium will probably be full,” he said.

“But our supporters will also travel in numbers to support us.”

The Portuguese coach repeatedly stressed that “small details” would likely determine the outcome of the final, pointing to concentration and discipline as decisive factors over the two legs.

“Victory is decided over two matches,” he explained.

“We need to control our focus, our discipline and our collective strength because small details will make the difference — small details here, and others in Rabat.”

For AS FAR, Sunday’s clash is more than just another match. It is an opportunity to restore one of African football’s historic clubs to the summit of the continent after four decades of waiting.

And Santos believes belief, patience and composure could yet help his side silence one of Africa’s most feared teams on their own ground.