Rabat – Mamelodi Sundowns are champions of Africa once again after surviving a tense second leg against AS FAR in Rabat to secure the CAF Champions League title.
The South African team came into the night holding a narrow 1-0 lead from the first leg in Pretoria, and after a 1-1 draw in Morocco, Sundowns held on to win the final 2-1 on aggregate.
AS FAR started with intensity in front of a packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium and found their breakthrough before halftime through Mohamed Hrimat, who converted from the penalty spot in the 40th minute to level the tie on aggregate and send the Rabat crowd into celebration.
But Sundowns answered at a crucial moment.
Just before the break, Teboho Mokoena finished from inside the box to make it 1-1 on the night and restore the South African club’s aggregate advantage heading into the second half.That goal completely shifted the pressure back onto AS FAR.
The Moroccan team still had a massive chance to turn the final around late huge the match when they were awarded another penalty in the 77th minute.
Hrimat stepped up once again, but this time Ronwen Williams made a huge save, diving low to his bottom-right corner to keep Sundowns ahead and silence the stadium.That moment proved decisive.
AS FAR continued to push in the closing stages, but Sundowns defended with composure and experience to see out the result and lift the CAF Champions League trophy. They lift the trophy for a second time in their history after 2016.
