Mamelodi Sundowns faced significant travel disruption on Tuesday after the club’s planned charter flight to Morocco was delayed because of unresolved landing clearance issues ahead of the second leg of the CAF Champions League final.
The South African side had organised a private aircraft to carry players and technical staff to Morocco before Sunday’s decisive continental fixture. The team had been due to arrive in Rabat, where preparations for the final were expected to continue.
However, difficulties emerged after approval for the aircraft’s landing permit had still not been granted by the Civil Aviation Authority, despite reports that the application had been submitted a week earlier.
The delay resulted in the entire Sundowns delegation remaining stranded aboard the aircraft at OR Tambo International Airport for almost eight hours while the club awaited final authorisation to depart.
The disruption came at a critical stage of the club’s preparations for one of the most important matches in African club football this season. With the CAF Champions League title at stake, the unexpected hold-up created frustration within the travelling camp as officials attempted to complete arrangements for the trip smoothly.
Sundowns, widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading clubs, had hoped to arrive in Morocco with sufficient time to settle and continue training before the final encounter. Instead, uncertainty surrounding the clearance process disrupted the team’s travel schedule and delayed the start of their preparations abroad.
Despite the setback, the club is still expected to complete the journey to Morocco once the necessary approval is granted. Attention within the squad is now likely to shift towards regaining focus ahead of the crucial fixture.
The CAF Champions League final remains one of the biggest competitions in African football, and Sundowns are aiming to secure continental success after another strong campaign. The second leg in Morocco is expected to attract major attention across the continent as the South African club seeks to overcome its opponents and lift the trophy.
Travel disruptions before major matches can often create logistical and psychological challenges for teams, particularly when players and staff are required to remain in transit for extended periods. Sundowns’ lengthy wait aboard the aircraft added an unexpected complication to their preparations at a decisive moment in the season.
The club’s technical staff are expected to prioritise maintaining concentration and physical readiness despite the disruption. With only a limited period remaining before the final, ensuring the squad quickly returns to normal preparations will likely become a key focus once the team arrives in Morocco.
The incident has also highlighted the importance of travel coordination and aviation clearance procedures for clubs involved in continental competitions, where international logistics often form a crucial part of tournament preparation.
For Sundowns, the immediate priority remains completing the trip and shifting full attention back to football matters ahead of Sunday’s encounter.
Although the delay interrupted carefully planned arrangements, the South African champions are still expected to continue their preparations in Rabat with the aim of securing victory in one of the continent’s most prestigious club competitions.
