A brilliant Aubrey Modiba free-kick fired Mamelodi Sundowns to a 1-0 victory over AS FAR Rabat in the first leg of the CAF Champions League Final at a rocking Loftus Versfeld. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Mamelodi Sundowns will take a slender 1-0 lead to the second leg of the CAF Champions League final against AS Far Rabat after an Aubrey Modiba strike saw them claim the honours at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday.
Although guilty of spurning bundles of chances, the Brazilians took a huge step towards winning their second-ever Champions League title with the deciding 90 minutes to come next weekend.
Modiba broke the deadlock in the 37th minute with a superbly struck free-kick that beat the AS FAR goalkeeper and sent the sold-out Pretoria crowd into wild celebration. That strike rolled back the years to Sundowns’ 2016 triumph when another left-back, Teboho Langerman, scored during the final in Pretoria.
Modiba’s effort arrived after an entertaining opening period where both sides showed attacking ambition in a tense continental showdown.
Having kept one eye on a fading Betway Premiership title race in recent days, Sundowns shifted their full attention toward continental glory as they looked to build an advantage ahead of next week’s decisive second leg in Morocco.
Head Coach Miguel Cardoso welcomed back Jayden Adams and Keanu Cupido to the starting line-up following recent injury concerns. Defender Keanu Cupido also returned to the heart of defence despite carrying a heavily bandaged shoulder.
The opening exchanges were shaped more by momentum swings than clear-cut opportunities, as both teams attempted to settle into the occasion.
Sundowns gradually began to dominate possession and territory as the first half progressed, although the Moroccan visitors remained threatening whenever they transitioned forward. AS FAR showed exactly why they had reached the final, frustrating Sundowns with aggressive pressing and compact defensive organisation.
The visitors also looked dangerous whenever space opened up behind Sundowns’ advancing fullbacks. Despite controlling large portions of possession, Sundowns initially struggled to create meaningful openings in the final third.
That was until Modiba stepped up with the game-changing moment that handed the Brazilians a deserved lead before halftime. The goal lifted the atmosphere inside Loftus and allowed Sundowns to finish the half with greater calmness and authority.
The second half, however, began under unusual circumstances.
Momentum was temporarily disrupted before kick-off after a malfunction involving the VAR system. Following nearly 10 minutes of uncertainty and delays, officials eventually decided the match would continue without VAR.
Once play resumed, Sundowns immediately looked determined to stretch their advantage.
In the 55th minute, the hosts carved through AS FAR with a slick attacking move through the middle but Brayan León failed to apply the decisive touch inside the penalty area.
The Colombian striker then endured two agonising moments in quick succession.
In the 61st minute, León burst through one-on-one with the goalkeeper but blasted his effort straight at the shot-stopper’s legs. Barely a minute later, he found himself clean through once again only to drag his effort wide of the post with the goal at his mercy.
By the 70th minute, Sundowns were beginning to rue those missed opportunities despite remaining largely in control of the encounter. Sundowns hope those opportunities won't count for much when they travel to Morocco this week for the second leg of the final.
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1
Modiba 37’
AS FAR Rabat 0