The CAF (African) Champions League final is set to take place next month and it will be South Africa vs. Morocco as Mamelodi Sundowns will take on AS Far. Unlike its European counterpart, this final will take place over two legs.
Tensions has arisen from the Moroccon side due to the starting time for the South African leg.
Reports suggest Miguel Cardoso's side have proposed a 15:00 kick-off for the opening leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
However, AS FAR are said to have raised objections, communicating their stance to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and requesting a later start time.
According to Al Ittihad Info, AS FAR have stated that both teams should compete under fair and equal conditions, without one side gaining an advantage from factors such as weather and timing.
Moreover, the Moroccan club reportedly argues that an early-afternoon kick-off could expose players to extreme heat, conditions they believe favour the South African outfit, who are more accustomed to playing in such temperatures.
In addition, AS FAR management is understood to have suggested an 18:00 kick-off instead, saying it would be more suitable from both a performance and player welfare perspective.
Furthermore, they have also raised concerns that the midday heat could place unnecessary physical strain on their squad, potentially affecting the fairness and quality of the match.
The Rabat-based club is now waiting for CAF's official response, as per the report, which is expected in the coming days, before starting full preparations for the decisive continental encounter.
I could be wrong but surely having a home leg means that that side holds an advantage in some way. An equal playing field doesn't mean having an advantage.
AS FAR should accept the conditions and then return the favour for the return leg by setting an environment that puts them to an advantage.