Wydad Casablanca coach Adil Ramzi has confessed they are not the clear favourites to clinch the inaugural African Football League trophy.

The Moroccan giants will come up against South African side Mamelodi Sundown in Sunday’s return match at Loftus Versfeld carrying a 2-1 advantage from the first meeting in Morocco. The two sides met at the same venue in the second leg of the semi-final of last season’s CAF Champions League, and Wydad got the desired result, a late equaliser earning them a 2-2 draw to sail them into the final.

Despite the advantage, Ramzi said ahead of the game: “This is a significant game and everyone wants to win it. We won in Casablanca but it’s still 50-50. We are facing a strong team but we are ready. For me, this is the chance for a first major title as a coach and we share the same dream with everyone, to win it.”

Ramzi further regretted the absence of key defender and captain Yahya Jabrane admitting they will miss his services and leadership. “Jabrane is a very important player for us and that is why we have carried him to motivate the rest of the squad. However, for me as a coach I am looking at the whole group and not just one player,” said Ramzi, adding: “This is a big match and every player is motivated to play. We will do our best to win this trophy.”

Wydad will go into the final having won seven of their last eight matches in all competitions (L1), while their sole defeat did come away from home – in the second leg of their semi-final against ES Tunis (1-0) in the African Football League but (progressed to the final on penalties).