Permit delay leaves Sundowns a day behind schedule for CAF Champions League final second leg

The Brazilians lead 1-0 from the first leg at Loftus Versfeld last weekend where Aubrey Modiba scored the only goal from an expertly dispatched first-half free-kick.

The squad were supposed to fly out on Tuesday but after hours of waiting for clearance at OR Tambo, the team was ultimately forced to wait until Wednesday morning before jetting off.

Department of International Relations & Cooperation spokesperson Chrispin Phiri told the Citizen: "Our mission has been assisting Sundowns in this matter. On matters like this, when South African delegations are in other countries on important matters, our embassies will always try to facilitate.

"If they have taken off, it is a good sign."

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso hopes his side prevails at a hostile Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

He said on IOL: "We know the difficulties that we are going to face in the second match.

"Of course, we want to close the season on a high note. We need to understand that the environment we'll go into is a privilege.

"There are not many people who get to enjoy playing in such a beautiful stadium. There'll be an electrifying ambience.

"We'll take our passionate supporters in our hearts, and they'll be the strength that we need in difficult situations."

"We will fight the right way for the trophy. We need to stick to the rules and the principles of the game," Cardoso added.

"It will be a different match. We need to be ready for the fact that we are going to suffer. But it's important that we apply ourselves accordingly so that the opponent doesn't feel they can come with everything while we are not there."