Wydad coach Adil Ramzi warns Sundowns against time-wasting tactics

The 46-year-old former Morocco international was reacting to delays in the dying minutes of the AFL final, which ended 3-2 on aggregate in favour of the Brazilians at Loftus Stadium on Sunday.

Both teams now go into the group stages of the CAF Champions League later this month, and Ramzi argues those sorts of ploys aren’t good for football.

"I said also in the game in Casablanca, it was for the first time I feel that football play against football, 100%. So, I respect how they play but we know in football and in the high level of football because the result is also important but I don't say you must be an actor," Ramzi said.

The North African teams are often guilty of the same approach, as evidenced in the first leg in Casablanca while they were leading the tie 2-1.

But to his credit, Ramzi did mention he felt Sundowns were gaining momentum on the African continent.

"I think Sundowns now have more experience than maybe [in the] last years but okay, as in my team, I can analyse my team. I can say I'm proud of the team," he added.

What follows now is a demanding schedule for the two clubs in the Champions League and their respective domestic leagues and Ramzi appears confident supporters can expect Wydad, last year’s finalists, and Sundowns to stand out.

"But okay, they deserve the win that's football, they deserve it. Congratulations and we hope that together [we can] try to give the supporters a high level of football for Africa."

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