Modiba’s stunner edges Sundowns closer to CAF Champions League glory

Published on by

Modiba’s stunner edges Sundowns closer to CAF Champions League glory
Tashreeq Matthews and Aubrey Modiba of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrate a goal. Photo: Imago

Mamelodi Sundowns took a giant step towards their second CAF Champions League trophy following a 1-0 win over Moroccan side AS FAR Rabat at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.

In a game that had very few chances, Aubrey Modiba’s well-taken freekick gave Sundowns a first leg advantage which they will be hoping to hold onto in the second leg on May 24 and claim the trophy.

Both sides did not create much in the first half with Brayan Leon getting a couple of half chances but not being able to get on the end of any of them.

Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrate Aubrey Modiba's goal against AS FAR.
Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrate Aubrey Modiba’s goal against AS FAR. Photo: CAF

It was until the 36th minute when Sundowns won a freekick just outside the box that Modiba’s moment of magic arrived.

Sundowns players deceived AS FAR goalkeeper Ahmed Tagnaouti when Modiba and Nuno Santos stood behind the ball, making it difficult for the custodian to guess where it would come from.

Modiba gives Sundowns advantage

He left space on his right side and there is where Modiba curled home beautifully on his left foot with Tagnaouti not able to do much to keep the ball away from the net.

It was Modiba’s first goal in the Champions League this season, and his fifth overall in the competition, giving Sundowns a huge advantage at the break.

Upon resumption, it took so long before the second half got underway as players, technical officials and fans were treated to a delay of nearly 20 minutes before it later emerged that there was a problem with VAR which was being fixed.

However, with the issue not resolved and time running out, it was resolved that the game proceeds without VAR with hopes that there would be no controversial moments in the second half.

From here, Sundowns bossed proceedings and should have been 2-0 or even 3-0 up by the 63rd minute were it not for some uncharacteristic poor finishing from Leon and the good work of Tagnaouti.

Leon loses shooting boots

The first of Leon’s misses took place in the 57th minute when Modiba picked him up with a good cutback, the striker making two defenders commit, but firing over the bar and three minutes later, Tashreeq Matthews played him in but he somehow fired a tame shot at Tagnaouti when he only had the goalkeeper to beat.

Leon, who has been very efficient in front of goal since arriving at Sundowns in January this year, was then played in again by Matthews and found himself one-on-one with Tagnaouti but somehow fired wide when he had an empty net to aim at.

In the 63rd minute, the Brazilians made another foray forward, swarming the AS FAR box, and from a goalmouth melee, a loose ball fell to Kutlwano Lethlaku who fired in from close range but Tagnaouti somehow kept it out.

Sundowns would suffer a setback with just under 20 minutes remaining when Modiba was forced off after pulling his hamstring as he went for a ball to be replaced by Divine Lunga in the 74th minute.

Miguel Cardoso’s side should have taken a 2-0 lead from another set-piece six minutes from time when Teboho Mokoena’s freekick struck the upright with the AS FAR goalkeeper totally beaten.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

You May Also Like