Aubrey Modiba’s Stunning Free-Kick Grants Mamelodi Sundowns a Narrow Lead in CAF Champions League Final
In a thrilling first leg of the CAF Champions League final held in Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns secured a 1-0 victory against Morocco’s AS FAR, courtesy of Aubrey Modiba’s magnificent free-kick. This victory gives Sundowns a slight advantage as they prepare for the return leg in Rabat next Sunday. By not conceding an away goal, Sundowns are in a relatively strong position; if they manage to score in Morocco, AS FAR will need to score three times to win the tie.
Modiba’s Long-Awaited Goal
Aubrey Modiba’s impressive strike marks his first goal in nearly three years, following a challenging period during which he was red-carded twice and even scored an own goal. He had previously faced AS FAR in last season’s group stage, where a red card marred his performance. Therefore, this goal undoubtedly holds significant emotional weight for the left-back, who demonstrated tremendous skill when he unleashed a powerful free-kick from 25 yards that beat AS FAR’s goalkeeper, Ahmed Tagnaouti.
Second Half Delay Due to VAR Malfunction
The second half faced an unexpected 30-minute delay due to technical issues with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. Initially reluctant to resume the game, AS FAR players ultimately agreed to continue after realizing that CAF rules permitted the match to proceed without operational VAR. Failure to play could have resulted in a 3-0 forfeit in favor of Sundowns, casting an unfavorable light on the event organizers.
Close Call for a Second Goal
Sundowns nearly extended their lead, coming agonizingly close to a second goal when Teboho Mokoena took a fierce free-kick that struck the post. This moment of bad luck represents a potential pivotal point in the tie, with the home side now hoping that this missed opportunity won’t haunt them as they progress to the second leg.
Historical Context of Comebacks in the Final
Historically, it has been quite rare for teams to turn around a deficit after losing the first leg in the CAF Champions League final. The last team to achieve this was Espérance de Tunis in 2018 when they rallied from a 3-1 first-leg defeat against Al Ahly to win 4-3 on aggregate. Prior to that, TP Mazembe also achieved success after losing the first leg in 2009. The prospects for AS FAR appear challenging against Sundowns, who seem more prepared this time around.
Miguel Cardoso’s Journey
This final represents another opportunity for Miguel Cardoso after his previous two finals ended in defeat, facing similar challenges with a draw in the home leg. Now, with a narrow lead for Sundowns, the Portuguese coach has a different tactical game to play, potentially leading to a more favorable outcome this time around.
