VAR Controversy Sparks Fury in Sundowns vs. AS FAR Clash

Rabat – The tension surrounding the Mamelodi Sundowns vs. AS FAR first-leg clash in Pretoria has reached a boiling point, and the officiating drama started long before kickoff.

With both sides heading into this high-stakes CAF Champions League Final fixture, the assignment of Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala and the VAR setup sparked immediate pushback from both management teams.

Play was suspended at the start of the second half after VAR technology failed in a bizarre situation, forcing officials to stop the match between Morocco’s AS FAR and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.

The fixture itself had to be pushed back from Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17, after Sundowns requested a 48-hour delay due to severe logistical difficulties, narrowing the preparation window and intensifying the off-pitch friction

The second half hasn’t even started yet, but the immense anticipation surrounding this Sundowns vs. AS FAR showdown is already showcasing African football at its absolute finest on the global stage.