Sundowns win CAF Champions League for first time since 2016

Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned champions of Africa for the second time in their history on Sunday, holding AS FAR Rabat to a tense 1-1 draw in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory. Playing before nearly 70,000 home supporters at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, the South African side weathered early pressure, a missed penalty scare, and a disallowed goal to reclaim the continental title for the first time since 2016.

AS FAR, needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Pretoria, attacked aggressively from the start. The hosts earned a penalty in the 35th minute after a VAR review ruled that Sundowns defender Divine Lunga had fouled Reda Slim inside the area. AS FAR captain Mohamed Hrimat stepped up and sent goalkeeper Ronwen Williams the wrong side to level the aggregate score.

Sundowns responded with a moment of brilliance deep into first-half stoppage time. A cross from Brayan Leon was flicked on by Tashreeq Matthews, and midfielder Teboho Mokoena unleashed a thunderous half-volley from the edge of the box that crashed in off the crossbar. The equaliser stunned the Moroccan crowd and restored Sundowns’...