Mamelodi Sundowns have taken a significant step towards claiming the 2026 CAF Champions League title. Their 1-0 win over AS FAR at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday was sealed by Aubrey Modiba’s crucial goal.
The South African side will head into the second leg next weekend with a narrow advantage.
Sundowns dominated possession and territory in the opening stages but struggled to break down AS FAR’s defence. The Moroccan side, however, posed a threat on the counter-attack, launching several promising raids during the first half.
The breakthrough came in the 37th minute when Aubrey Modiba scored a superb free-kick from just outside the penalty area. The ball curled beyond the goalkeeper, giving Masandawana a well-deserved 1-0 lead.
Mamelodi Sundowns Control Second Half but Fail to Capitalise
Sundowns returned strongly after the break, controlling large parts of the second half as they searched for a second goal to strengthen their advantage. However, they were repeatedly frustrated in front of goal. Brayan León missed three clear scoring opportunities during an intense spell of pressure from the hosts.
AS FAR continued to threaten on the counter-attack, forcing Sundowns to remain alert defensively despite dominating possession.
Teboho Mokoena’s Free-Kick Strikes the Post
The home side came agonisingly close to doubling their lead in the 84th minute when Teboho Mokoena struck the post directly from a free-kick. Sundowns kept pushing in the closing stages, but AS FAR’s defence stood firm to keep the deficit at just one goal ahead of the decisive return leg.
The second leg will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday, 24 May at 21:00.
They will take a narrow advantage into the second leg, as shown in a post on
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