Zamalek arrived in South Africa on Wednesday and immediately got down to preparing for Saturday’s African Champions League final at the Tshwane University of Technology’s stadium‚ despite the disruptions on campus earlier in the week.
But Mamelodi Sundowns have made arrangements for alternative practice grounds if their Egyptian opponents are prevented on Thursday from training at the same venue because of the on-going student protests over tertiary education fees.
They are earmarked the B-field at Loftus Versfeld for the club or even the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
Traditionally visiting club are entitled to just one practice at the match venue‚ which is always exactly 24 hours before kick off.
In other words‚ Zamalek will train at the Lucas Moripe Stadium at 3pm on Friday afternoon‚ one day ahead of the first leg of the final.
“But they can train there on Thursday if they want as well. We don’t mind‚” said Sundowns spokesman Thulani Thuswa on Wednesday.
“We want to offer them the best hospitality we can‚” he added.
Sundowns are mindful of the fact they travel away for the second leg in Alexandria next week when they will be at the mercy of Zamalek’s arrangements.
Sundowns will fly out of OR Tambo International next Wednesday‚ arriving in Cairo on Thursday and then make the 200km journey up to Alexandria on the Mediterrean coast.
The second leg of the final is at 8.30pm on Sunday‚ October 23.
They only leave again on Tuesday October 25 and arrive back the next morning‚ leaving just one day before they are scheduled to meet Polokwane City in the first round of the Telkom Knockout on Thursday‚ October 27. - TMG Digital
Zamalek begin preparations for the Champions League final in the shadow of the Fees Must Fall protests
Zamalek arrived in South Africa on Wednesday and immediately got down to preparing for Saturday’s African Champions League final at the Tshwane University of Technology’s stadium‚ despite the disruptions on campus earlier in the week.
But Mamelodi Sundowns have made arrangements for alternative practice grounds if their Egyptian opponents are prevented on Thursday from training at the same venue because of the on-going student protests over tertiary education fees.
They are earmarked the B-field at Loftus Versfeld for the club or even the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
Traditionally visiting club are entitled to just one practice at the match venue‚ which is always exactly 24 hours before kick off.
In other words‚ Zamalek will train at the Lucas Moripe Stadium at 3pm on Friday afternoon‚ one day ahead of the first leg of the final.
“But they can train there on Thursday if they want as well. We don’t mind‚” said Sundowns spokesman Thulani Thuswa on Wednesday.
“We want to offer them the best hospitality we can‚” he added.
Sundowns are mindful of the fact they travel away for the second leg in Alexandria next week when they will be at the mercy of Zamalek’s arrangements.
Sundowns will fly out of OR Tambo International next Wednesday‚ arriving in Cairo on Thursday and then make the 200km journey up to Alexandria on the Mediterrean coast.
The second leg of the final is at 8.30pm on Sunday‚ October 23.
They only leave again on Tuesday October 25 and arrive back the next morning‚ leaving just one day before they are scheduled to meet Polokwane City in the first round of the Telkom Knockout on Thursday‚ October 27. - TMG Digital
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