Mamelodi Sundowns survive AS FAR pressure to win second CAF Champions League crown

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Mamelodi Sundowns survive AS FAR pressure to win second CAF Champions League crown
Monnapule Saleng and Teboho Mokoena. Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns finally ended their 10-year wait for a CAF Champions League title following a 2-1 aggregate victory over Moroccan side AS FAR in the final.

Sundowns and AS FAR played out a 1-1 draw in the second leg at a sold-out Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday.

Teboho Mokoena’s stunning strike calmed the nerves for Sundowns after the Moroccan side had come back into the game and drawn level.

Mamelodi Sundowns win Champions League

AS FAR started strongly, putting the Sundowns defence under pressure, with the Brazilians struggling to cope with their pace and crosses.

AS FAR shock Mamelodi Sundowns

It was not until after 23 minutes that Sundowns had a go at the AS FAR goal when Kutlwano Lethlaku’s tame shot was gathered by the goalkeeper before Tashreeq Matthews unleashed a ferocious shot from distance which sailed off target.

There were a couple of penalty appeals from the home side after some infringement in the box but Somalian referee Omar Artan waved them away.

However, with about seven minutes to go before the end of the first half, there was another penalty shout that Artan waved away which changed the complexion of the game. Divine Lunga had hacked down Reda Slim in the box but the referee had not seen the incident first-time.

However, upon the VAR check, a penalty was awarded and Mohamed Hrimat stepped up to send Ronwen Williams the wrong way for 1-1 on aggregate in the 40th minute.

Mokoena stunner draws Downs level

That lead lasted five minutes until Sundowns conjured up a goal of their own. It was a well-constructed goal with the move started by Mokoena and finished off by him.

The midfielder passed to Leon on the right side and the Colombian cut back, his pass finding Matthews who licked the ball back to Mokoena and the midfielder unleashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net on the half-volley.

That gave Sundowns a massive lift plus an away goal as they went into the break and upon resumption, coach Miguel Cardoso brought in Marcelo Allende for Lethlaku in a bid to bring some stability in midfield.

However, AS FAR maintained their onslaught and in the 70th minute, they had a chance to take the tie to 2-2 from the spot. Ahmed Hammoudan got onto the edge of the box and took a strong shot which Williams could not gather and as he spilled the ball, Youssef El Fahli closed in but before he pulled the trigger the goalkeeper got his hands around him.

Mamelodi Sundowns

Williams comes up trumps

The forward would go down and appeal for a penalty which the referee initially did not give until another VAR check which saw him point to the spot.

Hrimat stepped up again, hoping to make it two from as many penalties but this time, Williams guessed right, diving low to keep the effort out to the delight of his teammates and Sundowns’ fans.

That save was crucial as Sundowns held firm, surviving late pressure from AS FAR to see out the second leg 1-1 and having won 1-0 in Pretoria last week, the Brazilians claimed Africa’s biggest club prize 2-1 on aggregate.

It is their second Champions League title, coming 10 years after Pitso Mosimane guided them to their maiden continental crown in 2016, wiping off the tears of last season, when they lost the final to Egyptian side Pyramids.  

<!-- 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.

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