Wydad AC have sent a second-string side without head coach Faouzi Benzarti to face Kaizer Chiefs in their CAF Champions League clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The Botola giants, who have already qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League, departed Casablanca on Tuesday without a host of first-team stars as well as Benzarti.
Scroll through the gallery to see Wydad's travels to SA in their preparation in Johannesburg so far
After more than 22 hours of travelling to Johannesburg via Doha, a delegation of 33 arrived with several notable absentees evident, as assistant coach Mohamed Benchrifa was seen leading the troops.
This website understands defender Cheick Comara and playmaker Badie Aouk are the most high-profile players that will play a crucial role when they take on a determined Amakhosi side aiming to qualify to the quarterfinals for the first time in their history.
"Wydad management made the decision because they have already qualified and when they return, the entire squad will need to quarantine in a hotel in complete isolation for 5-6 days," a source told snl24.com/kickoff.
"They are focused on the league title race too, so they made the call to keep most of the players behind with the head coach to oversee training at home. The delegation will also need to quarantine; Wydad cannot risk this."
It's believed Benzarti was also advised not to travel as the 71-year-old was scheduled to take his Covid-19 vaccine shot on Thursday morning.