The Brazilians Claim Champions League Title in Morocco

Mamelodi Sundowns are the CAF Champions League Champions following their 1-1 draw (1-2 on aggregate) against Moroccan side, AS FAR on Sunday night at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Teboho Mokoena is the man to score the critical goal that registered an away goal for Masandawana.

There was an early exchange between the two sides, with none of them allowing the ball to enter the final third. The first box entrance, however, came from the hosts but Khuliso Mudau Kicked it away. The host were awarded a corner kick which passed the face of goal but Khulumani Ndamane cleared it away.

Another box entrance for the hosts came through a square pass from the left flank side. While Ronwen Williams was ready to bucket the effort, Teboho Mokoena decided to clear the effort.

The first shot for Masandawana came from Kutlwano Letlhaku on the 24^th minute. It came from Brayan Leon’s backheel pass but Letlhaku’s strike was not powerful enough, seeing the keeper catching the low strike.

Following a lengthy VAR check after Lunga fouled a player inside the box, the referee pointed to the spot on the 38^th minute. The shot taken by the hosts sent Williams the wrong way, seeing them take the lead.

The pace of the match started picking up for both sides. The hosts were, however, the ones to almost double their advantage. They took advantage of the spaces and triggered a shot but it went wide.

In added time, Masandawana almost levelled matters through Leon after Lunga set him beautifully from the left but the keeper made a save to deny the visitors. Just before the break, a thunderous strike from Teboho Mokoena saw the visitors levelling matters. A cross came from the right from Leon who found Matthews who flicked it to find Mokoena. The midfield maestro wasted no time with a half-volley. The goal saw the two sides heading to the interval all square.

AS FAR returned to play on form, creating plenty of chances and threatening the Downs rearguard. A big chance came for the hosts on the left flank but Mudau came to the party and snatched the ball to move it forward.

The hosts continued with their box entries as they looked to restore the lead but the Downs defence was good as it remained steadfast.

Just inside the hour mark, a long ball that fell in the box came for Leon but the keeper came off his mark to get to the ball first.

AS FAR came close to snatching back the lead when the ball went past defenders. Williams looked to snatch the ball but it bounced back. While looking to pick up the ball, he fouled the opponent which again, saw the referee pointing to the spot. This time around, Williams dived to the right side, managing to smack the ball away.

In the final minutes of regulation time, Masandawana came close to doubling their advantage when Adams fired a shot from an Arthur Sales delivery but the ball went wide.

Eight minutes were added into the match and the hosts dug deep to find two goals to get back in the game but the wall of yellow jersey tightened things up at the back to make sure their hosts do not find a goal. A disallowed goal from the Brazilians and many denied chances later, the 1-1 draw was enough for Masandawana to become the 2026 Champions League champions.

How we lined up: Williams ©, Mudau, Cupido, Ndamane, Lunga, Mokoena, Adams, Santos, Letlhaku, Leon, Matthews.

Subs: Onyango, Kekana, Allende, Sales, Johannes, Sibiya, Zwane, Rayners, Mothiba.